Viva Goa June 2010 issue by Shailesh Amonkar

GOA’S FIRST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 1. NO 2. JUNE 2010, RS 25

INTERVIEW ‘Goa is a State of Mind’ Shobhaa De

MYSTIC PAINTER Udayraj Gadnis

FIRST LADY

Pallavi Dempo

A TOAST TO FENI Mac Vaz

INTERIORS/EXTERIORS

The Abode of Vijay Sardessai

SOUNDS OF

SILENCE

‘SILENT NOISE’ - A NEW AND EXCITING PHENOMENON AT PALOLEM BEACH, CANACONA

EDITORIAL NOTE For Your Ears Only T

here is something about Goa which strikes a chord with new and innovative music. Back in the sixties and early seventies, a defiant antiestablishment generation ushered in the sounds of ‘acid rock’ and soulful anthems on ‘make love not war’. Thousands from all over the world congregated around Anjuna, seeking a path to nirvana. As testimony to its innate qualities, much of that music still lives on, though newer sounds emerged in the nineties with the advent of ‘Goa Trance’ or ‘Goa Techno’, a new kind of psychedelic dance music. The beaches of Bardez reverberated to the sounds of this new ‘underground’ music with its synthesizer and analog beat expounded by such outlandish labels as ‘Goa Gil’, named after the pioneer of this music, ‘Holy Mushroom’ and, ‘Xperimental Goa’. At its height, ‘Goa Trance’ was one of Goa’s biggest exports to countries across Europe. ‘Goa Techno’ was a forerunner to other offshoots of

Trance music like ‘fluffy’ trance and ‘dark’ trance. But since those heady days, things have changed, notably with the imposition of the sound ban after 10 pm. But human ingenuity being what it is, a new brand of music has arisen, adroitly sidestepping the ban. And the location has shifted from the overcrowded beaches of Bardez to idyllic Palolem in the South. Somewhat unimaginatively called ‘Silent Noise’, this brainchild of British DJ Justin Mason and his musical brothers-in-arms, has quietly taken South Goa by storm. All it needs to dance the night away are ‘with it’ DJs, a pair of hired earphones, and, of course, fellow dancers. At first sight, the dancers may look like performers at a pantomime, each dancing to the music of their own choice. But there is an infectious camaraderie to it, with revelers often exchanging music. ‘Silent Noise’ has spread its wings beyond Palolem and has been quite popular in Europe.

‘VivaGoa’ is pleased to present this new phenomenon which has struck Goa, not with an earth-shattering blast, but soundlessly. In our ‘First Lady’ column, we are pleased to feature Pallavi Dempo who has rejuvenated the Navhind Times since she has taken over as the Executive Director. We also feature Kumar Gera in ‘One on One’ who is all set to herald in the concept of reality townships in Goa. The curtain went up on our inaugural May issue at a grand opening at Vivanta by Taj at Panaji. The doyen of popular fiction and now with her own publishing label with Penguin India, Shobhaa Dé graced the occasion as the chief guest. Shobhaa spoke touchingly on her teenage memories of Goa and on her visits to the family deity of Lord Manguesh. World renowned celebrity photographer, Gautam Rajadhyaksha spoke eloquently on the attractions of Goa, while fashion Guru Wendell Rodricks,

who has recently returned from a highly successful show in Sweden, made a witty speech, congratulating ‘VivaGoa’, Goa’s only lifestyle magazine. It was a pleasant evening with pleasant memories for all. We hope readers will enjoy our second issue with its eclectic mix of features and personalities. Viva Goa! Kedar Dhume

READERS’ RESPONSE

I used to be in Advertising for 45 years in Bombay before I relocated to Goa after selling my Agency ULKA to an American concern. I have had a fair amount of expertise in publishing a number of books. I also helped Maureen Wadia to launch ‘GLAD RAGS’. I must congratulate you on your first issue of ‘VIVAGOA’, which I read with interest. From a professional point of view, I must say that both in terms of the production and editorial content, the magazine is excellent. Would I be right in assuming that the profile of your target audience is aimed at Goa’s youth? It would appear so. Bal B. Mundkur on email This is to inform you that I appreciated the first issue of ‘VIVAGOA’ with great enthusiasm. The contents, photography and articles are excellent. The task that you have taken to protect Goa’s identity on its arts and culture is worthy of praise. Vamona Ananta Sinai Navelcar (Ganesh), Panaji

I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your accomplishment. The magazine has a rich content and is a genuine concept. I wish you good luck on the future of the publication. Sandeip Vishnoi, Publisher & Printer, Lokmat Newspapers, Goa I congratulate you on the launch of Goa’s first lifestyle magazine, ‘VIVAGOA’. I am confident that this magazine will be widely read and well appreciated in Goa. I wish the magazine all success. Maria E. Menezes, Indi Pharma Pvt. Ltd., Panaji Thank you for your great cover story on the Mangeshkar family, ‘India’s First Family of Song’. As an ‘insider’, the writer Gautam Rajadhyaksha has provided admirers of the family with new insights into this gifted clan. It is a family of artistes that all Goans should be proud of. Milind Shankhwalker, Panaji I’m a regular visitor to Goa, and have been visiting this State at least twice a year. This

May, I was surprised to find a new magazine from Goa on the stands at Mandovi Bookshop. I was really thrilled to read a professionally conceived and executed issue on Goa’s lifestyle. In the West and in the major cities of India, such magazines are easy to find. I would like to congratulate your publication on breaking new ground in Goa, which surely needs a magazine like ‘VIVAGOA’. It is a really good mix of serious and light articles. Goa gets famous personalities, Bollywood stars and national politicians visiting Goa in and out. Why don’t you interview a famous Indian personality, while they are in Goa. That will give your magazine an extra national feel. Kunal Bhende, Mumbai Editor: Thanks for your praise and feedback. We value your suggestions and will act on them when the opportunity arises.

VIVAGOA invites comments from readers. Letter should be short and relevant. Send it to editor@vivagoaonline.com

GOA’S FIRST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 1. NO 2. JUNE 2010, RS 25

INTERVIEW ‘Goa is a State of Mind’ Shobhaa De MYSTIC PAINTER Udayraj Gadnis FIRST LADY Pallavi Dempo A TOAST TO FENI Mac Vaz INTERIORS/EXTERIORS The Abode of Vijay Sardessai

SOUNDS OF

SILENCE

‘SILENT NOISE’ - A NEW AND EXCITING PHENOMENON AT PALOLEM BEACH, CANACONA

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VIVA INTERVIEW

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‘Goa is a State of Mind,’ says Shobhaa Dé in a chat with Emylou D'souza

VIVA GOA LAUNCH PARTY

A gala, star-studded evening at ‘Vivanta’ by Taj in Panaji marked the launch of Goa’s first and only lifestyle magazine

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TRENDS

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FIRST LADY

Pallavi Dempo

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AFTER HOURS

Kumar Gera, CMD of Gera Group

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MYSTIQUE OF THE MYSTIC PAINTER

Spiritual artist and Lord Ganesh acolyte, Udayraj Gadnis on his life and work

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LEGAL BRIEF

SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS By Advocate A.N.S. Nadkarni

Wendell Rodrick’s new show, along with fellow fashion designers Neelanjana Ghose and Rahul Mishra, in Gothenburg, Sweden, was a major draw

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INTERIORS/ EXTERIORS

GREEN GRASS OF HOME Arch. Siddha Sardessai on the home and house of Usha and Vijay Sardessai near Margao

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LIFESTYLE

SHOPPING FOR A YACHT By Lt. Col. (Retd) Milind Prabhu

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COVER STORY

SOUNDS OF SILENCE At idyllic Palolem Beach in Canacona, South Goa, a new and exciting musical phenomenon, ‘Silent Noise’ has taken wing

CONTENTS

HOMING IN

Featuring Hindi scholar Barbara Lotz of Germany

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COUTURE KEEPING IT COOL

HOSPITALITY

By Michelle Banarse

Goa's first destination hotel By Sinead McManus

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NUTRITION

ACHIEVER OF THE MONTH

FOOD FOR THOUGHT AND ACTION Dr. N.S. Dumo

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WELLNESS

THE SERENO SPA By Parineeta Sethi

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FENI FEATURE

CUISINE

Raising a toast to Feni By Mac Vaz

Editor & Publisher Kedar N. Dhume editor@vivagoaonline.com

SOUPING IT UP By Deepa Awchat

Zara Viegas

Principal Consultant Shailesh M. Amonkar Kemistry Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd. shailesh@kemistry.in Editorial Consultant Manohar Shetty Assistant Editor Emylou D’Souza Photographer Andrew Pegado Design Nagesh Naik Kemistry Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Advertising Tamara Faleiro advertising@vivagoaonline.com Mob: +919850077993 Circulation Satyawan Parsekar circulation@vivagoaonline.com Published by M/S Advertising Associates [Publication Division] 703, Dempo Trade Center, Patto Plaza, Panaji, Goa 403 001, INDIA. Tel : +91 832 2438999 Fax :+91 832 2437077 Printed at Print House India Pvt. Ltd.6, Datta Mandir Road, Bhandup (West), Mumbai 400 078, INDIA. 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

Publisher’s 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

VIVA INTERVIEW

‘GOA IS A STATE OF MIND’ S

hobhaa Dé, one of India's best-selling authors has revolutionised commercial women's fiction with popular titles like ‘Socialite Evenings, ‘Starry Nights’ and ‘Sisters’. She is the first Indian author to have her own imprint with Penguin Books India called Shobhaa Dé Books. Recognised as an important social commentator and an authority on popular culture, she was founder and editor of ‘Stardust’, ‘Society’ and ‘Celebrity’, and is a regular columnist for several newspapers and magazines. On a visit to Goa to launch ‘VivaGoa’, she spoke to EMYLOU D”SOUZA

Your travels have exposed you to some of the world’s most glamorous destinations. What does Goa offer that the others don’t? Goa goes beyond being just a mere destination, it is a state of mind. I’ve been coming here for so many years and I have a small place at Arpora. The children have grown up on the beaches of Goa. For us, it is filled with happy family memories and nostalgia. And for me, of course, my ‘Kuldevata’ is at Mangeshi. Goa is a very special place on every level. I’m not a beach bum kind of person, but I love the informality of Goa. Anybody can access a great beach, unlike in Europe, where you have to be at a very expensive beach side restaurant or part of a club. Very few beaches are earmarked for just the public. Which are your favourite haunts and eating places when you holiday in Goa? There is something magical about ‘Fiesta’ in Baga that entices me to return for more. I would rate it as one of the top restaurants in the world, the food is unbeatable. I want to check out ‘La Plage’ and ‘Fresh’ in Baga. And I like ‘Leela Cafe’ along the beach. ‘Rio Rico’ at Hotel Mandovi is outstanding and has been consistent for decades. At the launch function of ‘VivaGoa’, the chef at Vivanta produced the most delicious fish curry I have ever eaten and a prawn balchao that was worth taking a flight to Goa for. The chef at the Taj Village, Rego, is just outstanding and I consider him one of the best in the world. Once during Shravan, he prepared Goan vegetarian, Indo-cuisine - it was such a treat because you don’t really get to eat it in restaurants. It was just fabulous and I will never forget that meal.

As Goa holds such fond memories for you and your family, have you considered using it as a backdrop in one of your novels? That would be great! But I would need to live in Goa for a stretch and not be a fleeting visitor, like a bird of paradise who flies down. My secret fear about Goa is that if I come here, I’ll become so laid back that I’ll get into the Goan pace of life! A lot of friends leave here de-stressed and many people have relocated to Goa and love it. Amitav Ghosh lives here and a lot of other writers are making that move

as well, so maybe someday, who knows… Besides writing, what exhilarates you? I find traveling to unusual destinations the most exciting. I’m a city person, so going off to New Zealand and looking out for one sheep along the road in five hours isn’t my thing. I like cities with a buzz - Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Hong Kong and Paris. But, my dream destination is South America. I was very inspired when talking to Wendell Rodricks and asked him how he went about his recent cruise to South America. Although I find them very relaxing, a 50-day cruise is a bit excessive, I’d probably jump off the ship! I also love movies and music. I like world cinema which tells you something about international culture and life. World cinema today is so powerful; however, we don’t get to see much of it in India. I would love to make it to Goa during IFFI (International Film Festival of India), but I haven’t been lucky enough to do it as yet. How do you balance work and your personal life? Most women are multi-taskers and they are very adept at it without them even knowing it. They know how to prioritise and understand time management exceedingly well, even our rural women instinctively know it. I do a lot of things. My day is very packed and fulfilling, sometimes tough, but most times challenging. I see it as a positive. Me time is actually inside my head. I can access it anytime I want to, even in a crowd. I don’t need to necessarily access it in a quiet place. You have in the past severely criticised Goa, especially in connection with the rape cases. Do you think that it was all overblown by the popular media? There is no such thing as overplaying a rape case. It is one of the worst crimes against humanity. I think it was a wake up call. Even when my daughters were going out the other night, in the old days I wouldn’t ever have worried, but now I do. Maybe our own consciousness has stepped up in terms of safety and security. What do you think of the Women’s Reservation Bill? Is India, and in particular a small state like Goa, where of the 40 MLA’s, 12 will be women, ready for it? Personally I haven’t been pro-reservations

at all because I’m not pro-subsidies or proquota systems. I feel that women should get there on merit. It’s a slower process, but I prefer that, rather than to be a part of a quota. 12 out of 40 women MLA’s isn’t that bad, it’s quite encouraging. Can you elaborate on your role with Penguin Books India? What kind of authors will you be promoting? It’s not just exciting, but it’s a huge honour and a big responsibility. For them to think of me to develop this line is very encouraging, yet very scary. The expectations are so high. I don’t want to jump in to it and make any grandiose promises that I’m going to revolutionise publishing. I’m going to take my time, pick my list carefully, get my feet wet and take it from there. Let me stress that I’m not looking for the next Booker Winner. We have a lot of extraordinarily talented fiction writers, so I would like to create a talent bank and provide a platform for, perhaps, new voices who are saying things in an original, startling way. And if they also happen to win literary awards, then that is great. But it’s unlike Bollywood chasing Oscars. We should be confident enough of our own films and we don’t have to hanker after that recognition. Your blog draws 2,500 plus followers which in itself is an achievement. What is it about the blogosphere that attracts you? I enjoy it very much. It’s a very democratic space and it is also an international space. I like the mystery of blogging, in the sense the comments that are posted on your blog, you often don’t know the identity of the person. And yet, there are the followers who comment every time you post a blog. It’s a strange and peculiar relationship and I find their feedback, especially international feedback, extremely constructive and also, I learn a lot. In India, it’s very difficult for a columnist to receive responses. You might receive the odd email, but when you are a blogger, it is instant reactions. It’s the connectivity that I like. I like critical comments and I don’t block them, unless they are filthy or abusive. I manage it myself, so it’s a very personal interaction which I value greatly.

EVENT

A gala, star-studded evening at Vivanta by Taj in Panaji marked the launch of Goa’s first and only lifestyle magazine

Goa’s first Lifestyle Magazine is launched by Shobhaa De along with Gautam Rajadhyaksha and Wendell Rodricks. Editor and Publisher Kedar Dhume and Model Kiran Thapar look on

‘VIVAGOA’ Takes Oﬀ

Gautam Rajadhyaksha proudly poses with his portrait of Lata Mangeshkar on inaugural cover of VIVAGOA

Shobhaa De flanked by daughters Arundhati & Anandhita and her husband Dilip De

All smiles- Urvija Bhatkuly, Anita Kamat & Parineeta Sethi with Shobhaa Chief Guest Shobhaa Dé delivering the inaugural address

Atmaram Nadkarni & Wendell Rodricks

Ambika Dhume, Vandana Prabhudessai & Vilasini Dhume

GM of Vivanta by Taj, Vishal Singh, Editor of Business Goa Harshvardhan Bhatkuly and Gaurang Sukhtankar of Prudential Group

Milind Shankhwalkar, Nandan Kudchadkar, Siddha Sardessai, Manohar Kamat and Girish Ragha

Baba Naik, Sandeep and Sonali Verekar

Vidya & Milind Prabhu pose for the camera

Kiran Thapar says cheers to VIVAGOA Shobhaa De - good at sketching & writing! With Shaista Thapar

Brig S. C. K. Puri

Trio of Architects- Sunil Sardessai, Raya Shankwalkar & Rahul Deshpande

Yogesh Kamat, Raja Shukla & Manish Karapurkar of Times of India and Sandip Helekar

Preeti Tyagi of Big Banyan Wines presenting a memento to Shobhaa De

Editor of Goa Times Shruti Pandit with Shobhaa De

Secretary, Education Dr. M. Modassir & Mrs. Modassir with Editor of AsiaSpa Parineeta Sethi

Shweta & Sumit Sethia Ajit Singbal and Mayuresh Dhume

Deepali Dempo

Gauri & Suhan Karkal Joe Mathias

Kapil Kamat

Dinesh Sinari

Mangala Wagle

Ramnath Raikar Sports Authority Executive Director V.M. Prabhudesai with his wife Rama

Sylvia & Victor Albuquerque

Vivek Kerkar

Sangam Kurade and Vijay Hede raise a toast to Anil Counto Transport Director Swapnil Naik

P.K Mukherjee MD Sesa Goa

Information Director Menino Pires

Derek Almeida

Dr.Vinay Kumar Raikar & Datta Prasad Kamat

Clive Sequeira, Nilesh Dauda and Devang Palan

Shilpa Deshpande

Gauri Naik & Priya Dhume

Dr. Ajay Karande and Dr. S. Ghanekar

Gurudas Kamat, Nilesh Shah and MD of GTDC Nikhil Desai

Brian & Orty Soares Jerome Marrel Celsa and Anand Madgaonkar

Connected to the music with wireless headsets, hundreds of happy clubbers can dance the night away without breaking the law. By using headphones, ‘Silent Noise’ has sidestepped the sound ban and breathed new life into Goa’s nightlife in Palolem

Justin Mason with Janie O'Connor

SILENCE

VIVAGOA grooves to the throbbing beat of 'Silent Noise' at Palolem Beach in Canacona

SOUNDS OF

SILENC

COVER STORY

SILENCE

ilent Noise’ is a new concept in parties that has evolved and revived the outdoor party vibe for which Goa is famous for. Its epicentre is Palolem beach in South Goa. Complete with lasers, visuals and personal headphone sets, ‘Silent Noise’ is music for your ears only. Goa’s reputation as the home

of the outdoor party scene seemed to be in ruins when noise pollution regulations requiring all loud music to be switched off by 10pm began to be enforced across the state in 2006. It looked like the days of the open-air rave were over. But one enterprising band of individuals in the south of the state came up with a solution to

the ban, allowing clubbers to dance the night away without disturbing the neighbours - or breaking the law. Inspired by the headphone parties starting to spring up at festivals in Europe, an international group of event organisers and DJs decided to bring hundreds of wireless headsets to Goa to break the

sound barrier as it were, and reintroduce the all-night party. The ‘Silent Noise’ company was formed out of necessity, and to many party goers it has been music to the ears. In this kind of atmosphere, new friendships are easily formed with strangers exchanging notes on the kind of music they liked. ‘Silent Noise’ was conceived in the beachside town of Palolem, South Goa, in 2007. The archetypal paradise beach, Palolem is famous as a first choice destination for independent travellers and eclectic holidaymakers of all nationalities and ages. And if Palolem is where ‘Silent Noise’ was conceived, then it was Neptune’s Point where it was born. On the south side of the beach, Neptune’s Point is a large grassy field, flanked by magnificent rocky outcroppings and the breaking waves, from where hundreds of happy clubbers can view the entire Palolem coastline. Connected to the music with specially adapted wireless headsets, partygoers from across the world can dance the night away, while three DJs play simultaneously, competing to get the crowd to tune into their set. The ‘Silent Noise’ team have deployed their own brand of headsets, specifically designed for this type of event.

‘Silent Noise’ not only offers a platform for international DJs and performers in India, but it also actively supports local businesses, community projects and charities. In difficult times for tourism, an inspired use of today's music technology is allowing visitors and locals to once again enjoy the golden Goa party days Lightweight, durable and with superb sound quality, not only can clubbers control the volume and choose the channel they want to listen to, but the different coloured lights on the headphones also allow the DJs to see who in the crowd is listening to their set, introducing some good-natured competition between the DJs each week. Playing a mixture of house, breaks, techno and Indie dance, residents Justin Mason, Luke Brancaccio and Rebel Royal are joined by a line up of some of the world’s best international guest DJs. With three channels to choose from there is something for everyone, and Neptune’s Point becomes a sea of red, blue and green lights

flashing amongst the capacity crowd. What’s more, partygoers can change club without changing venue: by just switching the headphone channel they can move from a techno rave to retro tunes to the latest in electro house. And, if they want to chill out and chat with their friends, or enjoy a drink at Neptune’s Point open-air circular bar, they can simply turn the headphones off. Completing the open-air club experience are two raised DJ booths, from which up to six DJs will perform in one night, lasers flashing across the crowd, and two huge visual screens with projected images and professional dancers shadow dancing and hula hooping behind. Plus, clubbers are treated to circus performances throughout the night, including trapeze, silks and hoop routines by top artistes in stunning costumes from Europe. Even while queuing to get in, people are kept entertained by stilt walkers and fire dancers, before being handed their headphones at the fully staffed and smoothly run door. And with the stars above and the ocean alongside, ‘Silent Noise’ really is a unique outdoor party experience. Says Michael Antao from Panjim: “Even the waves seem to be dancing silently with us.” Adds another diehard fan: “It was tons of fun and when the party ended well past four in the morning, I had made new friends. It was the most harmonious solution to nightlife and noise pollution I’d seen yet.” Another keen ‘Silent’ fan from Norway, Cecilie Kjenski says: “The best part for me is the fact that you can

JUSTIN MASON

Justin started his DJ career during the late 80s, playing throughout the infamous ‘Summer of Love’, when the House music revolution started with guest appearances on London’s first underground radio station – Centre Force and the unforgettable outdoor raves scattered around London’s M25, including the Sundance and Raindance parties. Justin continued to play throughout the 90s, building his reputation for his deep, funky electro style. His Groovaholix parties in London and Ibiza attract an eclectic, vibrant and up-for-it crowd of party goers that really know their music. Justin’s ability to twist and splice tracks together using filters, effects and four decks is well known.

choose your favourite DJ and you can see who else is listening by the lights on each of the headsets.” ‘Silent Noise’ has been receiving some heavyweight global media attention for being the most innovative and original concept for outdoor clubbing in the world voted the best beach party in the world by the UK’s ‘Guardian’ newspaper, and featured in ‘Lonely Planet’. As a result of this, the ‘Silent Noise’ concept has also gone on tour in India this season, with events at top party venues including the Gaia Club in Pune and The Blue Frog in Mumbai. And now, event companies and promoters are looking to book the event outside India, with interest from festivals and venues in Turkey, Beirut, Chile and Northern Europe. It looks like ‘Silent Noise’ is on the road this summer, before returning to India for the 2010/11 season. ‘Silent Noise’ is headed by founder, Justin Mason and Janie O’Connor, both Brits. Previously a producer and marketing manager at Polygram Records, with a history of signing new bands, organising events and releasing his own records, Justin found himself on sabbatical in India and

took the opportunity to run Palolem’s first DJ bar. Janie founded an entertainment and casting agency in London before moving to India to work in Bollywood. When the noise pollution laws started to become more stringently enforced, they decided to look at alternatives to amplified music - hitting on headphones as a harmonious compromise. Says Justin: “We really enjoy putting this event together. Although it’s hard work every week putting the production together, especially since the introduction of the circus rigging, but as a team we pull it off every week and feel that we are giving something alternative to do for the thousands of holiday makers that come to Goa every year.” ‘Silent Noise’ not only offers a platform for international DJs and performers in India, but it also actively supports local businesses, community projects and charities. In difficult times for tourism, an inspired use of today's music technology is allowing visitors and locals to once again enjoy the golden Goa party days. For more information, photographs and news about upcoming events, visit www.silentnoise.in or catch updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Justin is now in Goa, well into his ‘Silent Noise’ project, which attracts international media attention for being the most innovative and original concept for outdoor parties in the world.

Silent Noise revelers at

‘Silent Noise’ headphone parties take place every Saturday at Neptune’s Point on Palolem Beach, South Goa. Admission is Rs. 500 and includes rental of a wireless headphone and a proportion of the profits goes to the Animal Welfare Association of Goa. Partygoers can change club without changing the venue. “We have introduced lights on the headsets dedicated to each channel so that the crowd can see which of the DJ’s they are listening to and more importantly, the DJ’s can see what the crowd is listening to. This creates mild competition among them,” says Justin. At ‘Silent Noise’, Justin has deployed his own brand of headsets, manufactured specifically to their requirements, in terms of design, comfortability and sound quality. External noise cancelling has never posed a

Palolem beach, Sout h Goa

problem for listening, since the design is a closed cup earpiece that fits snugly over the ear. The wireless frequency is a dedicated frequency, with absolutely no problems with interference up to a range of 100 metres from the transmitter. Explains Justin, “The initial investment is quite high, especially when you have to factor losses and damages to the headsets. Replenishment of stock too is the key. Minimizing damaged headsets by ensuring a strong lightweight design has taken many years to perfect. Sound quality is obviously important, especially when playing club music. There is an art to DJ-ing with headsets and, yes, the mixing has to be flawless.” Among other popular DJs are Luke Brancaccio, Rebel Royal, besides an international line-up of guest DJs. They are

all part of a ‘Silent Noise’ revolution that is taking place in the fringes, but which may soon make way inwards into the heart of Goa. “It’s good, clean fun,” says Christina from Bern, Switzerland. “And the best part is we don’t wake up the neighbours.” "This is the best idea for outdoor clubbing that I have ever seen. It’s crazy that you can have a party without disturbing the community – it’s the perfect solution," adds Karen Shelton from Brighton, UK. But does the ambience live up to that of a regular party? Justin concedes that it doesn’t, but it is an “excellent compromise” and the best one possible under the circumstances. ‘Silent Noise’ is all set to break the sound barrier elsewhere. Says Janie O’Connor.

beach Party Zone at Palolem

LUKE BRANCACCIO A widely acclaimed and highly skilled DJ, is also a multi-talented remixer and producer. Luke has in the past added his own record label, Player One to his long list of music credentials, in addition to being signed to numerous labels including Bedrock, Credence and EMI Parlaphone in the UK and Nettwerk in the US. His first taste of success as a recording artist was through the release of his track ‘Lovely Day’. It reached the UK’s official Top 40 and it was No. 1 in the American billboard charts. “Our international branding due to the global media attention has grown so much that we will try to finish the season with one or two more events at the Praia Goa Beach Club in Candolim and then embark on a European tour covering five to six countries including the UK, before returning to Goa in October 2010 with some fresh ideas on how to improve the venue and the production, making it one of Goa’s top attractions.” The headphone party (or “silent disco”) concept is not a new one. Big European festivals including Glastonbury have been having headphone parties for years. UK DJ event organizer and A&R man Justin came to India on a yearlong sabbatical, fell in love with Palolem and decided to do something about Goa’s diminishing nightlife scene using the headphone party concept. The weekly ‘Silent Noise’ parties started in 2006 with custom-designed imported equipment. Designing the optimal

headphone and integrating a three-channel setup took two years, but it was well worth it. The sound quality is superb, and the multiple channels allow people to interact with each other while promoting healthy competition between the DJs. Two other lookalike headphone parties soon followed by other organizers on other days of the week, but the ‘Silent Noise’ parties are the only ones that boast a threeDJ, three- channel music, lights and visual experience. “There’s nothing like this scene anywhere else in Goa,” says Misha D’Silva from Margao. “We can vibe both by ourselves and with each other.” Adds Fiona Marks Kaffell from London: “This is an amazing idea and it’s very professionally organized - a stunning venue with lights, laser projector screens and circus performers giving a real club feel well done to the organizers and I hope it continues to grow.”

Luke has played alongside some of the biggest DJ’s in the world including Sasha, Digweed, BT, Carl Cox, Lauren Garnier, Paul Oakenfold, Tiga and DeadMau5. He regularly plays in Russia’s St. Petersburgh ‘Fortdance’ and ‘Kazantip’, Ukraine’s worldwide famous festival.

BRAUND REYNOLD

BREAKING THE

SOUND BARRIER...

‘Silent Noise’ struck just the right chord with SINEAD McMANUS

he new craze ‘Silent Noise’ can be found and heard at Neptune’s Point in Palolem. A venue nestled within a natural rock formation right at the water’s edge. To get there we followed a lane that at times runs adjacent to the sea and meanders past a few residential houses and a couple of local bars. Even as we neared our destination there was no sound that suggested hundreds of people had gathered to experience the new age phenomenon that is ‘Silent Noise’. An open air nightclub with a buzz in the air and a queue of expectant people, many of whom were about to experience all this club has to offer for the first time. Queuing however was not daunting. The events manager was on hand co-ordinating guests and dealing with entrance fees. Professional security guards searched all guests as they entered. All this is done quickly and efficiently so the wait is as short as possible. Then we were off to make the acquaintance of our new companion, the Headphone. Our first port of call was the circular bar,

staffed by an extremely friendly bunch of people, already energised by the vibe going on around them. We then entered the main arena, headphones on and drink in hand, fully equipped for the night ahead. Without headphones the sight you see is highly amusing, almost surreal-- hundreds of people dancing to what seems to be silence. All you can hear is the general chitchat of old friends catching up with each other and people making new friends. After a couple of minutes observing this new scene and testing out my multi channel headphone for my preferred genre of music, I found myself channel hopping and keeping up with the rest of the party revellers. We soon got into the groove, dancing the night away under the stars in this magical location. Overall, ‘Silent Noise’ will never beat the so-called infamous original rave that Goa once hosted, but it does come a close second. But given all the killjoy restrictions, it is a tribute to our latent ingenuity in breaching the sound barrier.

Braund Reynold of ‘Rebel Royal has enjoyed UK National Chart success with ‘Rocket’, on Virgin Records. He became one of the globe’s brightest new faces. BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong made ‘Rocket’ his Essential Tune of the Month and it hit the Buzz Charts at No.1 with a ‘Bullet’. The whirlwind of attention from gigs, DJ sets and demos has seen him officially remix Eric Clapton to Supermal to the Young Punx for Universal and Eye Industries & Manifesto amongst others. He has also scored music for the BBC, Channel 4 and Sony Playstation. He has appeared and continues to appear on MTV, BBC 1 and Channel 4, as well as thousands of TV and radio channels worldwide.

FIRST LADY

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

‘Media –AHugely Challenging Responsibility’ Happily married to Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman of Dempo Group of Companies, Pallavi, an MBA from Pune University, says, ‘I keep my home and career in separate compartments’ 20

On her position as Executive Director of Navhind Times I began my tenure at Navhind Papers from the base level as a Management Trainee. I consciously chose to begin this way. The learning process that ensued was exceedingly useful. The executive directorship in the media business, which was a culmination of that process, is a hugely challenging responsibility, one which I confess I love. Out-of-the-box thinking, choosing the right delegate, taking swift action and trouble-shooting, if needed, contribute to the efficient running of a business. I have always believed in team effort, empowering subordinates, appreciating merit and taking people along. On facing competition in the media business For me, facing competition means thinking over the strengths of our business, its pitfalls, the threat perception and the opportunities it gives us to improve. I had always felt that we, at Navhind Papers, could build on the strengths of the Navhind Times, with its 47 years of publishing behind it. My colleagues and I strove to be original in our approach, and develop a mind-set that welcomed, promoted and rewarded continual innovation. All that was further needed were add-ons in the form of a new look, superlative printing technology, and a tilt towards Goan youth. What are some of the difficulties you have faced in this industry as a woman and how have you overcome them? The media business is much like any other. But, Indian women still have to go that extra mile to prove they are just as good as any man on the job. That said, gender-based issues have not bothered me all that much. Perhaps Goa is a bit more liberal in its attitudes. On her personal interests and activities I’m simply passionate about travelling. And yes, I’m a foodie! Seeing new places meeting new people, trying out new dishes, these are things I adore. I’m fortunate that Shrini, my husband, shares the same passions! On striking a balance between her home and professional responsibilities It’s all about focus. I have managed to divide my home and career concerns into

A close family – Pallavi and Shrinivas with their two young daughters compartments, to each of which I turn my full attention. When at home, I am fully focused on family and domestic matters. When at work, I focus only on the media business and the Dempo endeavours into the administration of higher education. I also value space, both physical and emotional. One needs to work things out inwardly, in solitude. However, I feel that closeness and togetherness are just as important. On unwinding after work Spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading, catching up on a movie, partying, I find cooking therapeutic as well! On the Women’s Reservation Bill in Goa and gender bias I refuse to believe that we cannot find a dozen women thought-leaders in Goa, where the gender proportion is more in our favour than in most places in India, and where education and liberal attitudes have made a positive difference to life and living here. I’ve always felt that issues matter, regardless of gender. To me, an individual’s views take precedence over that person’s gender. Gender bias exists but it is something that has to be noted and bypassed or

overcome. Perhaps Goa is a bit more liberal in its attitudes. To elaborate, my experience has been that the men in my life – my late father-in-law, my husband, my grandfather, father and brothers were amazingly supportive of my choices in my life and career. I feel truly blessed in this respect! On her unique fashion sense I am all for individuality in dressing. I love experimentation. Perhaps more important than what is worn is the impression that is conveyed of grace or elegance. On what she values the most in men A combination of traits, actually--a man of character, of intellect, of a caring nature, with a great sense of humour, one who’s supportive. In other words, a great soulmate. I’ve found all these traits in my husband! On spiritualism and religion Spirituality ranks very high in my inner life-it’s proved to be an ennobling and empowering force. I truly believe in the presence of a Higher Power. I also believe in the power of positive thinking and have utter faith in the family I belong to. Spirituality means connecting with those of my loved ones, such as my grand-dad, whom I’ve lost. It’s easy to see that spirituality is a wider term than religion.

AFTER HOURS

A column in which CEOs and other busy professionals reveal how they relax and spend their spare time

Originally from Pune, Kumar Gera, CMD of Gera Group has major business interests in Goa. He says, “I lived in Vasco at Mangor Hill and have been in and out of Goa since the early 70s, both for business and pleasure.”

Goa is

Blessed...

riginally from Pune, Kumar Gera of Gera Developments Pvt. Ltd has major business interests in Goa. He says, “I lived in Vasco at Mangor Hill and have been in and out of Goa since the early 70s, both for business and pleasure. My brother Mohan Gera has also been in Goa since then. I love Goa for many reasons. My company’s decision to enter real estate development here is the result of seeing that the real estate market here needs standards to be raised in terms of end product and services to customers.” What are the main problems that he has faced here? “Labour, government and red tape,” he says candidly. “This is what keeps prices higher for purchasers than what they should be.” Has the market in Goa reached saturation point? “The market is nowhere near saturation, but it is a very small market compared to other cities The total market in the State of Goa can be compared to a Tier III or at best a Tier II city in

the rest of the country,” says Kumar. And are most of his clientele in Goa itself? “We have a mixed bag of clients,” says Kumar. “But surprisingly only a small percentage can be described as nonGoan.”Besides regular apartments and office buildings, Gera Developments is also looking at bungalows (affordable segment) as well as plotted development, all with sustainable eco-friendly infrastructure. Kumar feels that the business environment is very different from Pune. This probably emanates from a satisfied mind set as opposed to a ‘hungry for growth’ attitude. “In Pune, there is a great desire amongst people to urbanize and improve infrastructure. The belief being that with growth comes opportunity and rising income,” he says. Kumar Gera takes some time off with Viva Goa

On his favoured holiday destinations I try to take a holiday at least once a year. I love going to my hideaway in Mahableshwar. I am at total peace there. My other favourite destinations are Thailand, Kashmir and the US. Favourite leisure activities Quality time away from work is extremely important to me. After office hours, I enjoy swimming and spending time at the gym and playing golf. While playing a four-hour round of golf, all else is forgotten. Can you imagine four hours of meditation?

On Spending Time with the family For me, the family is the highest of my priorities. As a matter fact, with my three children now grown up with families with, as and when we do get together from time to time, it’s a real joy. On what is special about Goa The moment I step onto the tarmac at the airport, I get a good feeling. It is hard to put into words. The land is blessed and maybe this is why people keep coming back.

On striking a balance between ‘housing’ and ‘environment’ Urbanization is taking place. All Urban cities of India will more than double their current population in the next 20 years. Goa is no exception. Like it or not. It’s a fact the writing is on the wall. In such a situation it is necessary to focus on infrastructure, sustainability and green features in all new developments. Every effort needs to be made to protect the environment while development is provided in a balanced manner. Future plans To endeavor to raise the bar of quality in real estate development in Goa and provide innovative real estate products. Message to budding Goan entrepreneurs Do your best in whatever you do and don’t worry about the rest. There are no short cuts to success – be ready for hard work, sincerity of purpose and complete commitment to what you do. You must always give back to society what you have gained from it.

ONE ON ONE

A regular column which will feature eminient Goans living outside Goa

Udayraj Gadnis

dayraj Gadnis, India’s renowned spiritual artist was born in 1966 in Mumbai to the famous classical dancer and Kathak exponent Geetanjali Barve Gadnis and the illustrious cinematographer Anant V. Gadnis. A qualified practicing psychologist, his calling as a painter came unexpectedly through an inner spiritual call at the age of 24. In Udayraj’s words, “This was the only twilight zone of my life!” He has received no formal or informal training in painting. It is an inborn skill which he has nurtured and developed with intense dedication and devotion. Persistence, patience, philosophy and poetry have seen him through 25 high profile one-man thematic shows at a national and international level, with over 1800 paintings, in a span of 11 years. Needless to say, these formative years have seen this mystic painter through a storm of controversies, critical acclaim, intellectual provocation and also some major recognition for his outstanding contribution and achievements in the field of fine arts. On March 5, 2000, Udayraj took ‘Sadhak Diksha’ at the opening of his ‘Shiva Shakti

Mystique of the

Pithum Adhyatmic Raj Gurukulam’, Goa. Today, he is acknowledged as the founder of the ‘Spiritual Art Movement’. “By creating a ‘Raj Gurukulam’ in the heart of Old Goa,” he says, “I have reinstalled the Guru Sheshya Parampara. This has been set up to impart higher spiritual learning in the field of art and culture. I have single-handedly built it with determination, dedication and devotion. I now offer this beautifully created space as an offering for the spiritual benefit of our society. This spiritual art movement will lay the foundation for New Age Man’s expression in the field of Fine Arts and Culture.” The ‘Raj Gurukulam’ is located in a rustic valley of Old Goa, surrounded by a beautiful dense forest overlooking a huge lotus lake, Karmali. Various mystic celebrations take place like a Vanomohatsav, followed by the Dassera Utsav. “Sadhaks (spiritual explorers) come from all over the country to experience and celebrate the essence of life. Staying for a period of not more than nine weeks (gestation period), there are no man-made barriers of class, caste, creed and gender, nor are there any imposed ideologies or rituals. It is an open divine space for all those who wish to experience eternal bliss,” says Udayraj. His in-depth study and research in ancient manuscripts cover a wide spectrum from the Vedas, Tantra, Hinduism to Sufism, Buddhism, Jainism and Zen. His spiritual journey lends a unique dimension to the art world. “It creates a dynamic language of contemporary paintings which reflect the essence of various spiritual dimensions, known and unknown to mankind,” says the artist. “Painting is ‘Tapasya’, a meditative process for me. I am neither the

MYSTIC

PAINTER

The spiritual artist Udayraj Gadnis is the founder of the ‘Spiritual Art Movement’ and ‘Raj Gurukulam’ at Old Goa By KEDAR DHUME

doer nor the creator, nor the source of these paintings, I am only a medium.” In the last 11 years, he has undergone various transformations, taking up various avatars, sometimes that of an eccentric Tantric with long hair, or a poetic rustic Sufi, playing the ‘dilruba’, sometimes as an elegant, smiling monk or a mischievous dancing Zen master. He has been true to each form he has adorned during the phase he was in at the time. With over 1800 oil paintings on canvas, only 40 have been Ganeshas, as this rare and exclusive line of paintings created only during the most auspicious months of the year, following the rituals of ‘prana prathisthas’ which brings about an amazing radiant light emitted from a one-dimensional flat canvas to a threedimensional live painting.

The mystic artist recently spoke to ‘VivaGoa’ Could you describe the early days of your spiritual journey? It did not feel like a journey, rather a spiritual experience. A divine force guided me through my work because of my Faith and confidence in divine grace. There was a lot of soul searching... I would like to call it an 'inner vision' that was always with me and guided me through. In these materialistic times, what advice would you give the younger generation? Youth is the best time to enjoy materialism and fulfill all desires especially erotic ones. For only when you are done experiencing all of that, you will find a way to reach your soul. One must enjoy the mind and body fully, and ultimately, find the spirit. How does one maintain a balance between the spiritual and the material side of life? One does not need to maintain any balance, for these are the same sides of a coin. Only if you are materialistically happy and have attained everything in life will you want to seek God. Till then, your entire life will go in circles, seeking a new home, a new car, a new bank balance, a new image, a new

wife, a new image, a new dog! Name, fame, glory, money, glamour and lust will keep you going. Only when you are fulfilled will you want to seek a spiritual life. So there is no balance, only imbalance will help you reach your destiny. Tell us about the Lord Ganesha paintings. Has Lord Ganesha always been a strong influence on you? I am blessed to paint the most unusual forms of Lord Ganesha. It is with his blessings that I am wise and wealthy in the spiritual world. There seems to be some misconceptions about Tantric Sex. Can you tell us more about it and is it a way to reach spiritual salvation? Tantric Sex is a divine school of thought, where the entire body pulsates with orgasmic joy and experiences enlightenment. While making love, a sensitive human being will most of the time close his or her eyes because he or she wants to experience that divine joy, within. Tantric sex is meditative in nature. Those who have denied the body, have ended up looking foolish. How can one deny the body? The only path to spiritual salvation is through this divine miracle called ‘body’. Do you think spiritual leaders should join mainstream politics? What advice would you give them? And what advice would you give our Goan politicians? Spiritual leaders are like political leaders in disguise. How else can they manipulate the poor common man only on grounds of faith and belief! For Goan political leaders, I have a spiritual message: "If and only if they can become 'devdasis', can they understand what it is to serve without any expectations." Is India, the land of the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata, blindly following the quest of the West? India is too tough and can resist any influence whatsoever. 5000 years have gone by and we still follow certain traditions and values which even the

Sufism

Buddhism

Jainism

Udayraj Gadnis invoking the spirit of art

Lord Ganesh 26

Moghuls or the British could not demolish. We have to stay with our spiritual roots and have great faith in our heritage and culture. Ramkrishna mission had set a fine example in humanitarian work. Tell us a little about your mission. Should spiritual leaders play a larger role in the field of conventional education? I do not believe in any mission. I don't believe in having disciples and do not wish to raise a cult. I only deal with human beings who are guru material and have the inclination to become gurus themselves. My Mission is to turn ordinary humans into extraordinary humans and to direct them to the lone pathway of spiritual bliss. We are still stuck with an education system that does not help us evolve as human beings. A new system that is closer to human nature and universal energy is what we need. I am here to fulfill my unfulfilled karma, the rest is an illusion.

LEGAL BRIEF

A regular column on the legal system in Goa

School for Scoundrels

Given its small size, Goa could have been an ideal state, but instead it is a den of corruption and dishonesty.

ord Templeman observed that engaging in bribery is an evil practice which threatens the foundations of any civilized society and that any benefit obtained by a public servant through this breach of duty belongs in equity to the beneficiary (the State). This is the basic norm subject to which all legal principles require to be interpreted. The Privy Council further observed that when the bribe is accepted by a fiduciary in breach of his duty then he holds that bribe in trust for the person to whom the duty was owed. If the property representing the bribe decreases in value, the fiduciary (public servant) must pay the difference between that value and the initial amount of the bribe because he should not have accepted the bribe and incurred the risk of loss. If the property increases in value, the fiduciary is not entitled to any surplus in excess of the initial value of the bribe because he is not allowed by any means to make a profit out of a breach of a duty. It was further held that a gift accepted by a person in a fiduciary position as an incentive towards a breach of duty constituted a bribe and, although in law it belonged to the fiduciary, in equity he not only becomes a debtor for the amount of the bribe to the person to whom the duty was owed but he also holds the bribe and any property acquired from it on constructive trust for that person. In a pace-setting case the respondent, Reid who was a Crown prosecutor in Hong Kong, took a bribe as an inducement to suppress certain criminal prosecutions and with those monies acquired properties in

New Zealand in his name, in the name of his wife and his solicitor. The administration of Hong Kong claimed these properties on the ground the owners were constructive trustees for the Crown. The Privy Council upheld the claim. Goa today unfortunately is being seen as a den of corruption. Goa is a small State and, given its geographical contours, it would have been possible for right thinking citizens had they participated in its governance to make it an ideal State free of corruption and dishonesty. It could have imbibed an ethical ethos and instilled integrity in the System. It is also possible for the court in Goa to have zero arrears and the concept of instant justice is also not an impossible dream. But in its place and stead, Goa, “God’s own abode”, is instead a den of corruption and dishonesty. Crime has taken deep root which if not controlled in the near future, may take the entire population in its stride making it an accepted ‘Way of Life’. When people in power hold public office they are authorised to carry out public duties, not misuse public power or abuse their official positions by acting in an oppressive, arbitrary and unconstitutional manner. One must keep in mind that every public servant is a trustee of society and in all facets of public Administration must exhibit integrity, transparency, sincerity and faithfulness in the implementation of political, social, economic and constitutional policies in order to achieve excellence and efficiency in public administration. It is a matter of shame and regret that we have an unwritten norm which requires a bribe to

Adv. A.N.S. Nadkarni is a Senior Advocate and former Advocate General of Goa.

be paid to a Minister or an official to get certain works done in most cases. The whole world knows that for granting permissions, clearances, NOC’s or licences, palm greasing is required to be done as a quid pro quo. Unless you manage your way through bribes, threats, pressure, matters are not attended to at all or at least with reasonable despatch. In this country, history has shown and experience has proved that bribes are required to be paid and that introduction of more control breeds more corruption. Our very own Prime Minister who has acquired the reputation in public life of being an honest and sincere person has himself admitted that granting of Environmental Clearances in the MOEF had become a big avenue of corruption. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in M. C. Mehta’s case had rightly emphasized that all mining activities, heavy projects, notified industries have to comply with the EIA notification and as such, all these project proponents had to rush to the Ministry of Environment for securing environmental clearances. Some of the applicants really deserved to be granted environmental clearances; some ought to have been granted such clearances; while some had to be or could have been granted Clearances with certain stringent conditions. But in all these cases it was well known how and in what manner these Clearances were secured. The EIA notification was issued by the Government of India with all good intentions to protect the environment. The Environment Protection Act was intended to save the planet earth and regulate ecological

matters so as to prevent a disaster; but unfortunately, in this country, instead of love and care for Mother Earth, its minerals, trees, plants, forests and wild life, some politicians and bureaucrats found it an avenue for unjustly enriching themselves, being vested with the power to grant clearances. Indeed, certain environmentalists in this country have been at pains to point out the manner and method in which flagrant violation of Law has resulted in such gross abuse of power. The Supreme Court has been monitoring environmental matters by dedicating its precious time, energy and minds through its Environmental Bench and has done a considerable job it has at last been able to protect the environment to a great extent by passing Orders which have to a great extent protected forests and prevented many ecological disasters. While doing so, their Lordships have realised the fact that the power vested in the bureaucracy and political executive for granting permissions is sadly misused, abused and at times unused. It would be in the fitness of things that the Constitutional Court and more so the Supreme Court of India step in and lay down that in matters of granting clearances, if an application for Licences, NOC’s or Permission is not disposed off within a fixed period of say four to six or even eight weeks, then the applicant is free to approach the Judicial Forum viz., the High Courts or the Supreme Court for redressal of their grievances. The Superior Courts should then examine the reasons and the grounds on which such clearances have been withheld. If this happens, then genuine applicants who deserve clearances and permissions may prefer to approach the Courts rather than unjustly enriching undeserving souls. This may to a certain extent help in cleansing the system. Usually, the applications of genuine applicants take a long time to be cleared or dealt with as they hesitate to cough up bribes but an unscrupulous applicant who has many things to hide gets away and normally they secure all such permissions or clearances within the shortest possible time. Of late Goa has experienced many such phenomena: large scale construction activity and illegal land conversions being approved, rampant illegal mining carried out by people in

power under the guise of digging a well which then spreads to several 100 metres and the excavated mud which usually has a Fe content is then sold as iron ore and exported to countries willing to receive and pay huge amounts for it. All this goes on with unabated enthusiasm under the auspices of scoundrels. In DDA’s case the Supreme Court has made certain classic observations:

“… In Vineet Narain v. Union of India, the Apex Court was pained to observe that when it comes to corruption, as it exists at different levels, it proves to be both powerful and stubborn to stall any real or superficial moves in that direction. Judicial response has been slow and varied but that is the only response available at the moment. There is no premium on honesty. Everything is a matter of manipulation.…”

“… some persons in the upper strata (which means the rich and the influential class of society”) have made the ‘property career’ the sole aim of their life. The means have become irrelevant – in a land where its greatest son born in this country said ‘means are more important than the ends’. A sense of bravado prevails; everything can be managed; every authority and every institution can be managed. All it takes is to ‘tackle’ or ‘manage’ it in an appropriate manner. They have developed an utter disregard for law –nay, a contempt for it; the feeling that the law is meant for lesser mortals and not for them. The courts in this country have been trying to combat this trend, with some success as the recent events show. But how many matters can we handle? How many such matters are still there? The real question is how to swing the polity into action, a polity which has become indolent and soft in its vitals. Can the courts alone do it? Even so, to what extent in the prevailing state of affairs? Not that we wish to launch upon a diatribe against anyone in particular but judges of this Court are also permitted, we presume, to ask in anguish, ‘what have we made of our country in less than fifty years?” Where has the respect and regard for law gone? And who is responsible for it?…” “… In Vineet Narain v. Union of India, the Apex Court was pained to observe that when it comes to corruption, as it exists at different levels, it proves to be both powerful and stubborn to stall any real or superficial moves in that direction. Judicial response has been slow and varied but that is the only response available at the moment. There is no premium on honesty. Everything is a matter of manipulation.…” “…It is high time therefore that a large number of people who are exploited either by the circumstances in which they live in or kind of poverty or on account of lack of education, or on account of an evil system which is practiced by certain elements, the Legal Services Authority has a duty to, if not put a full stop to all these acts at least to induce efforts in this direction to be made by and everyone of us in doing whatever we could to salvage the situation. We cannot forget that the aim of the Law is to deliver justice as the law is a means to an end and justice is that end.…”

FEATURE

A teetotaler himself, Mac Vaz is President of the Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association and a Director of Madame Rosa Distillery. His father Valentino Vaz was the founder of the famous PVV brand of liquors in Goa. Mac also has a passion for equestrian sports and is an accomplished polo player

Raising a

toast to Feni

By MAC VAZ

very individual, every state and country has assets. To remain as assets, they need to be protected, nurtured and promoted. Feni and harmony are two of Goa's greatest assets. The two often go together, but as President of the Goa Cashew Feni Distillers and Bottle Association and a maker of high quality feni (I say this quite soberly), I feel more qualified to wax forth on our State's most loved and enjoyed tipple. And also because this Goan asset has been in the global news in the recent past. As Jawaharlal Nehru once said “it is good to see history being made but still better to be part of making history”. For me it was a pleasure to participate in a successful global initiative that made feni the first alcoholic beverage of India to get a Geographical Indication (GI) certification under the WTO umbrella. It was a unique state and stakeholders’ initiative Heading any initiative which has at stake a mass stakeholder interest has its own perils and challenges. We worked

together as a team and not as individuals and competitors towards achieving this goal. The GI journey of feni is a case study for the entire country.

study of infringement of brand Basmati did help our cause. We finally realized our feni GI goal in 2009.

The Road To GIR

The journey of feni has a long way to go, so that the industry gains the consumers’ trust. For this we also need to protect ourselves from those few within the industry who consistently weaken and tamper with the quality of the beverage for fast and bigger money. As feni grows in price and prestige, concerned government departments must ensure there is no shrinkage of cultivable land. There is an urgent need for effective schemes and subsidies to encourage farmers and distillers to switch to hybrid variations which increase fruit output, which in turn will make the cashew farming occupation productive and lucrative which will naturally have a tandem positive effect on the cashew nut industry too. For this our Agriculture and Industry departments could easily take a page from what has been

The GI journey of feni started with an initiative by my father, Valentino Vaz in 1997. This was before the Geographical Indication Act was passed by Parliament. It was around the time when intellectual property rights for India and Pakistan's Basmati rice were being infringed upon by an American company. Ours was a proactive initiative to pre-empt a basmatilike situation, and this dragged on into a long, almost decade-long affair. One of the key reasons for this long drawn imbroglio was because we had to deal with some cynics and skeptics within the government departments and the stakeholders. The authorities had to be appraised of the potential threat to brand feni, coming from opportunists based both within and outside India's borders. The case

The Road Ahead

done successfully in other parts of the world, and pursue the idea of Agro SEZ zones or cashew parks on the lines of the wine parks in Maharashtra. On the promotional front, just as all destinations of the world are aggressively promoting local wines and spirits along with cuisines in their tourism plans, I don't know why tourism planners in Goa are shying away from positioning feni as one of Goa's highlights and most precious assets. If we can have successful wine festivals in Goa without Goa growing a single grape, why don't the concerned departments have feni festivals which will also support this vital cottage industry that generates hinterland employment and revenue for our state?

Heady brew: distillation is a careful process

Feni as Heritage Liquor

Another peculiar situation feni faces within India is that though it is exported to many countries in the West and in the Gulf region, the sale of feni has up to now been severely restricted within most other states of our own country. Perhaps this is because of the many misconceptions associated with the country liquor tag. As feni is distilled purely from cashew apple juice, and coconut feni is made exclusively from fresh coconut toddy, it is unfair and unreasonable to club our Goan elixir with the compromised spirits that are usually thrown under the Country Liquor category in this country. Ironically, it is precisely this Country Liquor classification which is the USP in the global marketplace as in the case of other ethnic spirits like Cachaca and Ouzo which are positioned as country liquors in their parts of the world. However, since we find it difficult to change the popular mindset within India, we have initiated a proposal for changing legislation through which feni might well be classified as a Heritage Liquor.

Future Perfect

There is still a long way for feni to go before our prized elixir is recognized as amongst the best spirits in the world and we are heading in exactly that direction. If the manufacturers and bottlers are conscientious, and get their act together along with the state Agricultural, Tourism and Industry departments to promote, protect and position this pristine spirit, without ever diluting or losing its originality, I expect that it will be sooner rather than later when it will be every

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cajew Feni Distilleryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (1948) a painting by Laxman Pai only after the cashew tree (anacardium occidentalis) was introduced to India by the Portuguese. The cashew tree was believed to have been imported from Brazil to Goa though it is originally from the West Indies. There are two types of feni: cashew and coconut, also called palm feni. Cashew feni is distilled from the fermented juice of the ripe cashew apple without the addition of any fermenting agent while coconut or palm feni is made from coconut tree sap, again without adding any fermenting agent.

How is feni made?

Goan's pride to see our Feni standing shoulder to shoulder with the Cognacs and Cachacas of the world, proudly labelled as 'Produce of India.'

All About Feni

The term 'feni' denotes 'fenn' i.e. froth or foam in local languages, seen during the fermentation process of making feni.

History

Feni has been produced for the past four centuries in Goa, especially the palm or coconut feni as the coconut tree is a native of India. Cashew feni distillation started

Both cashew as well as coconut feni are made by the pot still method and have to be double distilled to attain its potency. For cashew feni, ripe cashew apples are crushed in a stone or rock carved and shaped like a basin called coimbi with an outlet for the smooth flow of crushed juice. The juice is then transferred into an earthen vessel called kodem, which is buried in the ground. This juice is left to ferment for a period of 8 days (fermentation processes of cashew feni start in a matter of 4 to 6 hours). On the day of distillation, the fermented wash (liquid) is transferred into the pot still container, either in an earthen or copper pot called bahann for distillation.

Goan elixir: traditional distillation of feni in progress For palm feni, the toddy or the sap from the coconut tree is fermented for a period of 8 to 10 days and the fermentation process starts after 12 to 16 hours. After 8 or 10 days the fermented wash is transferred into the pot still container for distilling.

Urrack and Thodop

The first distillate of cashew feni is known as urrack. It is less potent and lower in alcoholic content, yet has it own bouquet and body. Urrack is normally consumed during the summer season for its cooling and refreshing effect. The first distillate of and from palm feni is called thodop. This is meant to be nonconsumable and is very weak in alcoholic content, has neither taste nor smell and is considered an inauspicious drink. In simple terms what â&#x20AC;&#x153;urrack is to cashew feni, thodop is to palm feniâ&#x20AC;?.

Can feni be made or produced outside Goa?

No, the distillate made in the state of Goa through the proper pot still method is recognised as feni. No spirit or distillate can be called feni if made outside the geographical boundaries of Goa. It is the same principle as that of Scotch whiskey distillation.

Byproducts and blending

There are no principle byproducts which have any commercial value or which can

be used after distillation. The byproduct of feni distillate is used as animal feed. Some distillates need blending to enhance their quality, but feni needs no enhancement. Traditional feni has never been blended. Feni distilled by different distillers has its own compatibility which is not suitable for blending. However, many individuals and distilleries do blend feni for their own consumption after maturation as well as for standardization. It must be noted that 80 per cent of feni is produced in the cottage industry sector and the other 20 per cent in modern distilleries.

Is feni matured?

There are no laws governing the maturation aspect of feni and it can be sold young and as soon as it is distilled. However, several reputed manufactures mature their feni before selling it in the market. There are many families who mature feni for therapeutic use.

Storage

The best way to store feni in bulk quantity is in oakwood casks. The oakwood cask being permeable allows air to pass in and evaporation takes place. This helps to remove the harsher constituents in the new feni, especially cashew which mellows in due course of time. Storing feni in oak is an age-old practice among traditional distillers. During the Portuguese era, oakwood casks were imported from European countries.

PIC BY PANTALEAO FERNANDES

Traditional methods of selling feni

A traditional feni distiller sells his product in bulk, which is called khouso or pot. One khouso is equal to 18 or 20 bottles of 750 ml, which works out to approximately 15 litres. The feni sold in the khouso mode is stored in glass carboys, also referred to as garafao. The garafao comes in a variety of sizes but the most used ones are medium and big. One medium garafao holds about 6 to 8 bottles while the larger one holds about 14 bottles of 750 ml. The other commonly used container to domestically store feni is a clay porcelain jar called bhorrni.

Medicinal uses

A small amount of feni drunk neat helps relief in constipation. A warm mixture of feni, sugar, clove and cinnamon sticks and ginger help in relief of cold and cough (should be well warmed by igniting the mixture for 8 to 10 minutes). A strong gargle with feni aids in relief from toothache, especially cavities, or alternatively, cotton soaked in feni can be inserted into the cavity. Feni acts as an antiseptic when applied on fresh wounds or cuts and also helps bleeding to stop and accelerates healing of wounds and cuts.

Alcoholic strength

The alcoholic strength of both the fenis is the measured proof method on volume.

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Feni- A Part of Our Goan Identity' The excise law prevalent in Goa governs the measurement. The permitted strength as per law is 25 per cent under proof or 75 per cent proof equivalent to 42.8 per cent v/v. The local measure is known as grao. The right feni for consumption is between 20 to 22 grao. MAC VAZ explains the importance of GI status for Goa's favourite tipple. What does GI status mean for feni in Goa? From Goa's cottage industry perspective, this will allow the state authorities and stakeholders to assert its right over brand feni. Hypothetically speaking, if attempts are made to copy and replicate making feni outside Goa, nobody would be allowed to call it feni. Secondly, from the customers' perspective it is a step forward in doing justice to the confidence of the consumer who buys cashew feni with the belief of it being a beverage made only out of the cashew fruit juice in the traditional pot still method. Is there a real threat to feni and was there a need to be concerned? I believe it's better to be proactive than reactive. Basmati Rice was a case study of India not being proactive. Therefore we had the emotive case where the American company infringed on the goodwill of India's Basmati brand, and to undo the damage was more difficult and required the Intervention of Parliament. Therefore with feni we are ensuring that we get an umbrella before it rains or not.

So feni is going to be like Scotch and Champagne? Comparing these two established GI's to feni is like comparing a sapling to a oak, but yes, they are on one protected platform. The difference from our perspective is that, Scotch and Champagne is the identity and asset of their countries, whereas feni is an element of our own Goan identity, and we need to endeavour to protect and promote it to make it a bigger asset in the future, just as the British and French governments and industry did over a period of decades. Are there any other Goan identities that need to be protected? Yes, so many. Because of the small stakeholder base of some of these assets you have to see if it makes business sense

and has a strong case for GI. Goa's cashew nuts and a couple of varieties of Goan mangoes should be a priority, but we also have local vegetables and other fruits, besides our arts and crafts from Bicholim etc. But because of the commercial implications, it is for the stakeholders to decide if it is worth the while. Alternatively the state could initiate the move on behalf of stakeholders. We would be glad to guide and share our experiences to ensure it does not take as long as it took us. How long has it taken to get this recognition? Seven years and more, but that was because GI was a new subject in India. It also took time to convince the authorities and for us to get together as comrades and add synergy in the endeavour. What will this mean to smaller cashew manufacturers? One of the main purposes of this exercise is to ensure that cottage distillers and farmers get a better price for their produce and encourage them to bottle their own brands. Apart from this, our agricultural department needs to have a long term cashew cultivation plan and schemes for farmers. When the demand for feni increases and the grassroots distiller gets better returns, this will motivate him for quality production more than what is possible through legislation. We should in different ways ensure not to make feni a case of killing the goose which lays the golden eggs. How will it affect the export of cashew feni? There will not be a quantum jump in exports just because of the GI status, but the certification will in many ways put feni in the limelight of the global wines and spirits industry. Is it only for cashew or also for coconut feni? The GI registration Goa got is for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Feniâ&#x20AC;? that is cashew feni, but within the application there is a protection and provision made to ensure that Goa has the liberty to file a separate additional representation for coconut/ palm feni too.

How does Goa benefit from this? When the demand increases, it motivates farmers and distillers to continue with their traditional occupation, which is a rural employment and revenue generating avenue for the state. But this will need aggressive synergy from various departments, especially agriculture and industry.

ALL ABOUT GI

A Global Indication (GI) sign is used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities integral to its place of origin. The label allows producers to gain market recognition and a premium price for the quality of their product.

It also confers legal protection, prevents unauthorized use, promotes the economic prosperity of producers, enables those seeking legal protection, and boosts exports. A GI registration is valid for ten years and renewal is possible.

TRENDS

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On A High

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INTERIORS/ EXTERIORS

Siddha D. Sardessai is an alumnus of the Goa College of Architecture. His award winning architecture and interior design firm has executed several projects in Goa.

Green Grass of Home

Usha and Vĳay Sardessai’s house near Margao brings back memories of another era

s you approach Margao, you can’t help but notice a beautiful house set amongst the green fields that spontaneously announces its very existence. Such is the presence of this arresting mansion. This house of Vijay and Usha Sardessai brings back nostalgic memories of a bygone era. The façade is designed to reflect elements of Portuguese and old Goan Architecture. There is an interesting juxtaposition of corbelling, Mangalore tiles and cast iron railings which add character to the house. At the entrance to the plot, a huge gate set amidst the greenery is the perfect entry point to the palatial mansion. As you near the house, a small little balcao greets you, as if directing you to the front door. This balcao with its red oxide treated benches with little azulejo inserts and the rustic

flooring bring back the excitement of the old Goan house. Part of the living room has a double height with an antique chandelier. Intricately designed sofa sets adorn the living space. The paintings on the wall

and the artifacts, all add up to create an aura of an era that we so like to cherish. Adjoining this living space is a small office for Vijay’s political affairs, which has rightly been given access from the side of the house. A dining table set overlooking the living area, adjoins the open kitchen space. Built on a narrow plot of land, this house does not enjoy large width. Usha sheds some light on the house plans, “Uday Sawant had sketched the plans based on our requirements. From there on, I took over and started detailing each space”. Vijay adds, “Though this was planned to be a plotted development, we decided not to sell more plots and stopped the project with just our house. It’s been a wise decision as today, we have our house surrounded by greenery.”

The dining area has a staircase that leads to the upper floor. Encompassing these stairs, the wall has been treated to a fresco painting by Vijay Bhandare (Usha’s brother, and also an artist of repute). The painting in earthy tones gives a flavour of Goa. Tucked behind the stairs is the parents’ bedroom. The upper floor of the house has three bedrooms -- the master bedroom, daughter Urvi’s bedroom and a guest room along with a family living space. Each of the bedrooms are uniquely detailed, imparting a rustic look with old furniture. Each bedroom door has been tastefully designed with decoupage art. Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing coloured paper cutouts onto it, in combination with special paint effects, for example, a gold leaf. Ordinarily, an object like a small box or an item of furniture is covered by cutouts from magazines or from purpose-manufactured papers. Each layer is sealed with varnish (often multiple coats) until the "stuck on" appearance disappears and the result looks like a painting or inlay work. The traditional technique used 30 to 40 layers of varnish which were then sanded to a polished finish. This was known in 18th century England as the ‘Art of Japanning’ after its presumed origins. Usha proudly points out this artwork on the doors and is quick to add that it included some painstaking labour. She worked closely with the carpenters and managed to get the desired result. Each of the bedrooms has a different pattern. You’ll find hand painted tiles running as borders all around the bathrooms. No points for guessing that the artist in Usha has been behind this creative output. Even the mirror above the basin has been hand painted by her. A small terrace on one side of the house with the balcao in red oxide leads you to the upper terrace floor that houses the bar. Crochet work done by Vijay’s mother occupies centre space and all the other décor around, was accordingly matched and complemented. This house exemplifies what a family with rich artistic qualities can turn their abode into. Passionate intervention from the inmates can turn a house into a home. And the delight they share in showing their creativity is both joyful and infectious. Truly, this house set amidst all the greenery, makes people turn green with envy.

Usha and Vijay Sardessai with Urvi

LIFESTYLE

SHOPPING for a

Lt. Col. (Retd) Milind Prabhu originally from Goa, has set up India’s first National Sailing School in Madhya Pradesh and has organized several national sailing hampionships. He is a much sought after consultant in the Marine Industry. He has sailed from Mumbai to Goa over 20 times in both Sail and Motor Yachts

T H YAC Beware of being taken for a ride. Lt. Col. (Retd) MILIND PRABHU on what to look for while buying a yacht

hen foreign tourists land in Goa and stare in amazement at the pristine beauty of the Konkan coast, they ask the inevitable question, “But where are the yachts?” We may have a beautiful coast but rarely do we venture out to sea. Historically, we are not a nation of seafarers, or even a ‘sea conscious’ nation. Our coastlines are the least exploited and offer a wealth of places both above and underwater left largely untouched. A unique opportunity thus presents itself to own a yacht and explore the high seas. Most Indians planning to own a yacht are first-timers and have rarely ventured out to sea. So at the first instance, set out on a friend’s yacht or a chartered one and get a feel of the sea. You will find that it is a uniquely different experience, not just of the high seas but on and below deck too. There are a host of dealers offering you a veritable fleet of boats. But remember such images add a lot of ‘oomph’ and are normally at variance with the actual. Remember, a yacht on land looks bigger than in water as it is simply dwarfed by the vastness of the sea around. The best way is to hire a surveyor from a reputed company who can guide you on the subject. Remember, a yacht surveyor and ship surveyor are entirely different entities and should not be clubbed together. This is where your lawyer comes in and makes the pre-purchase agreement which ensures that you are not taken for a ride. The surveyor also is a part of this agreement so that you are covered from all angles.

A pre-purchase agreement for a new yacht ensures that you are not cheated at any stage. It is always better to browse the Internet for a list of companies offering yachts on sale. Check out the brands and make a note of the popular ones available worldwide. This will help to shortlist the brand you wish to buy. This will also ensure that you aren’t get stuck with a yacht with absolutely no service support. Similarly, check out the dealer and meet a few of his previous customers. A good dealer will normally have his previous customers approaching him for an upgrade to a bigger yacht. Be cautious of dealers unwilling to give a list of their previous customers. Most first time buyers, in the words of a famous yacht surveyor, are affected by the “car hangover” that is they see the yacht through the prism of a luxury car, they already own. Manufacturers are well aware of this and have adopted names which are at slight variance with reputed car manufacturers. This lulls a buyer into a false sense of security, that he is buying a top notch product. To entice first-time buyers, manufacturers give the yacht a more ‘car-like’ look by making bubble decks. Bubble decks serve two purposes- they increases the cabin space inside and make the yacht look very

attractive. But in foul weather, walking a bubble deck to carry out a deck job becomes a very risky proposition. Therefore, such decks must be strictly avoided. A guard rail that is low in height, looks neat, but has no practical use. A yacht is supposed to operate in water and should be designed for it. Electricals and electronics are also a major cost factor when buying a yacht. The more top line electronics you integrate, the more your costs shoot up, and not just at the initial level - they also add to your burden of maintenance and replacement. Batteries provide the juice to power up most of your systems. These are charged by generators and the main engines. Most battery banks are placed in the engine compartments which are badly ventilated, so it is necessary that these batteries are Marine Grade, deep cycle gel batteries as specified by the manufacturer. Installing normal automotive batteries in yachts can lead to serious accidents, as acid and petrol fumes form an explosive mix, putting the yacht and people on board at grave risk. A first-time buyer normally has a tendency to look for a “Bigger Bang for the Buck”he is interested in finding the largest size vessel for the least cost. The dealer is also interested in selling you a larger yacht

(for a bigger commission) and entices you by throwing in a lot of freebies and discounts. A yacht at a cheap price may end up as a raw deal. Remember, a dealer who will sell you a yacht without appearing to make a profit, has already added his profit margin to the Maintenance Contract, and without realizing it, you have been sweet talked into paying a higher price for services and maintenance. Insist on getting the full financial picture to avoid getting caught in a trap which will be a constant drain on your pocket. Yachts operate in a highly corrosive medium and as such require periodic and detailed maintenance. Any boat owner will tell you that yachts are inherently costly to maintain. The dealer will also be eagerly looking forward to a yearly maintenance contract. As a perquisite, check out the stock of spares the dealer already has on his maintenance contracts. Check the documentation he keeps for service. Does the dealer carry out preventive maintenance to a given schedule duly documented or cuts corners by carrying out breakdown maintenance? A manufacturer provides an adequate margin to a dealer to stock parts for the yacht, but unscrupulous dealers will give you discounts and not stock the requisite

spares. Yachts, unlike cars, are not mass produced in high volumes, resulting in a large back order on parts, which may run up to anything from six months to a year. So after spending millions, you may not be able to enjoy the yacht because some 50 dollar part has not been stocked by the dealer. Insist on a list of parts the dealer will stock so that you are not caught off guard. There is also a requirement for verifying the expertise of the technicians maintaining the yacht. The primary check should be on the basic qualifications of the technicians. A technician may have attended several training seminars abroad, but if he lacks basic technical qualifications like an ITI certificate, he is prone to cause damage to other critical parts not in need of repair. Roadside repair technicians are a dime a dozen and ‘jugaad’ technology can temporarily make the equipment functional by bypassing safety circuits and fail-safe devices. But out at sea improperly carried out repairs can result in a life threatening situation and also in the loss of the yacht. This aspect should be examined in detail, without basing your judgment on a dealer’s or technician’s sweet talk. When buying a yacht, these are the parameters that you should normally consider:

SAFETY

Strength, durability, collision zones on the yacht and their design parameters should be understood. Check out the composition and warranty of the hull, some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty. The bulk heads should be designed to absorb and control damage caused by floating and semi-submerged objects. The running gear, that is the drive should be well protected by full keels and propeller pockets. The top decks should have wide and sheltered walk rounds capped by a good bulwark and railing system for ease of vessel operation in any kind of weather.

PERFORMANCE

The performance of a yacht depends on the function of its power plant and hull design. ‘Planning hulls’ provide a lot of cabin room and yachts can achieve phenomenal speeds, but cabins in these yachts are way too uncomfortable when the vessel is underway. These yachts are also fuel guzzlers. A discerning yachtsman will always think of these vessels as ugly, overgrown jet boats. ‘Displacement hulls’

MAINTENANCE

offer better cabin comfort when the vessel is under way, but the speed of such yachts is limited. ‘Semi planning hulls’ provide good cabin comfort during a voyage and have the required speed to get out of trouble before bad weather hits you. Range and burn rate are the major factors that you have to consider before narrowing down the choice. If you are planning to undertake a voyage from Mumbai to Goa, the yacht should be able to do it comfortably and plus have a 25 per cent reserve capacity to cater to emergencies. The stability of a yacht depends on the weight management, weight placement, deep keels and fine entries. Also low shaft angles are critical to efficient acceleration and low fuel consumption.

PLEASURE

A well designed cruising yacht should be as comfortable as your home and have all the modern conveniences. Comforts of home are critical to enjoyment on water. The upholstery and all the finery have to look classy and also be long lasting. Most upholstery found in open cockpits consists of vinyl over some type of wood, usually cheap plywood. Plywood collects water and, in our tropical climate, will rot away with in a few years. Fungus and mildew growth are the first indicators that your boat is on its journey to the scrap heap. Cheap imitations will initially cost less, but will rapidly deteriorate in a harsh marine environment. The ability to achieve balance in a confined space like a yacht, requires focus and ingenuity.

This is one aspect that requires special attention. A good designer will provide adequate working space around major aggregates like engines and generators. Maintainability is critical to lower maintenance cost. Parts that are in approachable are seldom maintained and prone to catastrophic failure. At times, manufacturers pack in an additional cabin or head (toilet) to lure buyers and inadvertently make maintenance a nightmare, thus increasing costs. Motor yachts look very trendy but a yacht on sail power is a symphony in motion, combining beauty and toughness. A sail yacht is cheaper to operate, has a longer range and can handle inclement weather much better than mid-sized yachts. It also carries a backup engine and generator and is more reliable than a motor yacht. A sail yacht is environmentally friendly as all its functions, from propulsion, power generation to making drinking water from sea water, are powered by wind and solar energy. In the words of the Wise Sailor, “Motor yachts are limited in range by the amount of fuel they carry. A sail yacht, on the other hand, has a range limited only by your Mind. It signifies freedom and oneness with Nature.” Learning to sail is not rocket science. One can learn the basics in under two weeks and sail independently in about three months. When buying a yacht, it is well worth considering what the cost will be in a few years. Yachts do not depreciate as fast as cars, mainly because of the waiting time for new ones. So there is a ready market for your well maintained yacht. A yacht should be conservative in profile. Designs that are traditional and time-tested are not subject to falling out of fashion and, consequently, the resale value will always be high. Recession has resulted in many manufacturers stuck with huge stocks of unsold yachts and many boat yards have either closed down or operate at skeletal levels. Avoid such manufacturers, so that you don’t get stuck with a dead duck. Remember that the true cost of a yacht is not only the buying price. It is the buying price, plus the operating costs, minus the resale value. Well maintained yachts will always have a higher resale value. The higher the yacht quality, the sooner the depreciation curve will flatten. Quality always wins in the end.

HOMING IN A regular column by

foreigners who have found a home away from home in Goa

Heidelberg

From

Chorao

hen you walk into Barbara Lotz’s home on Chorao Island, you will come across books lying on the sofa, table and side tables. And most often, they are in Hindi. What’s so unusual about that? Barbara is German, and she not only speaks Hindi like a native, but teaches it as well. A Hindi lecturer at the University of Wuerzburg’s Department of Indology, Germany, both she and her husband, Rainer, travelled to Goa as tourists in 1981. Within a year of their trip, Lotz began to study Hindi at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, under the famous Indologist Professor Lutze, where she did her dissertation on G.M. Muktibodh. When I met Barbara Lotz earlier this year, she was busy preparing for a guest lecture at the Department of Indology at the University of Zurich that will span over three weekends. She said, “I will talk on ‘Partition Literature’ in Hindi and Urdu, which will also delve into the history of Partition. Reading and translating three original short stories by Saadat Hassan Manto, Mohan Rakesh and Agneya will constitute a major part of my lecture series.” So what drove her to study Hindi, why the fascination? Both linguists by profession, (Rainer is in fact a philologist) it was when he began teaching at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, that Barbara continued to study at Kendriya Hindi Sanasthan at JNU. “We can now converse quite comfortably in Hindi,” she says. “We first came to Goa as tourists in 1981, and came every year after that. After ’99, we settled in Chorao. We love the laidback lifestyle, the beautiful riverside and the people around us. And also the

By LISA DIAS—NORONHA

Barbara Lotz : We love the laidback lifestyle in Chorao Western Ghats when we travel out.” With a Masters degree in Hindi from Delhi University, she joined the South-Asian Institute (SAI), Heidelberg as head of its external programme in New Delhi for five years. Hindi art films are her favourite, as are selected Bollywood hits. Our regular 'ladies night out' at INOX, invariably finds me dozing off for a couple of minutes during the film. To catch up with the story, I have to ask Barbara to explain what went on. For her students to grasp the language, Barbara feels Hindi films make good learning material. She says, “I often line up several contemporary films for my students to watch. This also helps them to familiarise themselves and adjust to everyday life in India when they visit on their external study programmes.” The current university she works at – the University of Wuerzburg - offers a three year Bachelor of Arts degree where students combine their modules with Indology as a subsidiary subject. Barbara often instructs students from various other

faculties, even Medicine, as many are interested in Ayurveda and Homeopathy. Her department offers a B.A. and M.A. in South-Asian Studies or Indology with inputs from several guest lecturers from India. An annual four-week Hindi course is conducted in Jaipur in collaboration with Rajasthan University and the University of Wuerzburg. For the last one, she accompanied 20 students to Jaipur and initiated them into the course. In addition to language, students are also introduced to Indian culture, dance and yoga. We have often discussed the methodology used by the European education system in teaching any European language as a secondary language. Their realistic approach makes language study exciting and challenging. Barbara has lamented the method used in Goan schools to teach Hindi and has witnessed firsthand the difficulties her son has faced. Interacting with the locals, however, comes naturally to Barbara. Not one to decline an invitation to visit the neighbours, she and her family are well integrated into their local community, celebrating village feasts and participating in cultural programmes. Even their son Niko is fluent in Konkani, along with Hindi and German. Alternating her time between Germany and India, but all the while promoting her love for Hindi through her teaching, Barbara Lotz is a true ‘Chodnekar’ at heart. From frequenting the fish and vegetable markets in Mapusa and Panjim, to being in the know about where to find the best fresh food to travelling by ferry, Goa is her haven.

COUTURE Introducing

a new column on what's haute in the world of fashion

Keep it

COOL

By MICHELLE BANARSE

Simple but structured party wear at Malini Ramani

t’s that time of year again and as temperatures soar and it’s time to get cool in light cottons, loose linens and airy silks in majestic red and blue and the beautiful lush green of Goa itself. For simple cool fashion at its best, head to Fabindia in Panaji and pick up simple kurtas in cool cottons and crisp silks, great with shorts which can be worn loose or fitted knee length or three quarters. White is always a summer style statement but colours should be also be worn. Always a good option for the heady highs of Goa is lots of floaty, feminine prints, loose and layered. Don’t be afraid to experiment, mix and match – short, long, narrow or wide. The only rule being that you balance the proportions. If you wear a loose or full top, opt for leggings and vice versa. Linens are great for this season if you want the ease and casualness it affords. Even when creased, there is something so simple and luxurious about linen. It

shouts style and comfort when worn right, and is great for him as well as her. Light colours of nude, soft khaki, white and grey always make for a great staple summer wardrobe statement. Throw in some hot and serene greens and you’ve taken yourself effortlessly from noon to night. Again, if wearing them separate, don’t go for all linens from head to toe. Add light layering with different textures always to make an outfit more tactile and easy. Footwear is comfortable; tottering around in eight inch heels is not always an option (unless you’re being driven!) With the weather being so unpredictable and changeable, the obvious choice is plastic or rubber footwear, A shop recently opened, ‘Ayesha’ in Panaji, has an assortment of fashionable flip-flops, and chappals, all in beautiful crystal colours , aquamarine and amber, to name a few, to match the accessory must have, a pair of cool crystal coloured Perspex sunglasses. For super lux at reasonable prices try

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pashmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for their new Spring/Summer collection of sumptuous silks, linens, cottonsilks and more. The collection can only be described as many things but luxurious loungewear definitely comes to mind. These can also be found at the Taj hotels and other five-stars (a list of stockists is available on their site). The entire collection has a taste of Bali running through it, with beautiful prints of fauna and flora and subtle embellishments of beadwork feathers and embroidery. The kaftans are great for sitting around a pool, on the beach or having lunch with friends but just as beautiful in their simplicity are the shift dresses that can so easily be worn in the day with a simple pair of chappals transformed at night with some killer heels and funky gems. The loose drawstring pants in heavy stone-washed silk worn with a simple linen jersey T-shirt are so easy to wear that it makes lounging a whole new art. All their prints are their own designs and each piece is a work of art. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for something a bit funkier and livelier, Malini Ramani in Candolim can kit you out from head to toe, be it one of the heavy beaded dresses, maxi length to a simple short shift. Her use of colour is always bold. Her cuts can be simple but structured, with her fitted stretch dresses adorned with graphic embroidery. Her pieces are definitely for the party lover in us, her clothes are fun but wearable and depending on how you accessorize, can easily be dressed up or down. Malini Ramani also has a good range of interesting bags and accessories, including footwear and bikinis.

Crystal coloured flipflops at Ayesha

Cool cotton summer attire at Fabindia

Funky accessories on display at Malini Ramani

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; gettyimages

HEALTH & NUTRITION The author is a Physician by profession. He has been a World Health Organization (WHO) Fellow in Nutrition and in this capacity has served in the Food Policy and Nutrition Division of FAO, Rome

FOOD FOR

Thoughtâ&#x20AC;ŚAction By DR. N. S. DUMO

n any health amelioration programme, infectious diseases have always occupied a prominent place in disease control or eradication programmes. But now, infectious diseases will take a backseat and lifestyle ailments will rule the Indian health scenario in the coming decades. These are the projections of a recent countrywide study carried out by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with McKinsey & Co. India is going the way of developed countries. With the per capita income of Indians on the way up, lifestyle diseases are projected to replace infectious diseases as the major chunk of illness in the country. In the years to come, at least 40 per cent of outpatient spending would be concentrated on lifestyle diseases like heart ailment, asthma, cancer and nervous and circulatory disorders. The link between changing socio-economics and disease pattern is clear. With increasing stress, it is only natural that there should be a rise in stress-related or lifestyle diseases. Add to it changing dietary habits and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, this makes for a depressing mix, leading to a rise in such diseases, especially among younger people in their 30's and 40's.

In a hospital in Mumbai, over a period of eight years, nutritional histories of some 8000 people suffering from diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and heart disease were recorded. After careful examination, a link was found - all these patients consumed processed foods such as white flour (maida), refined sugar and meat. But by eliminating bad dietary habits, doctors could provide substantial relief.

Polish, 'Defile' and then 'Fortify'

The mega food industry is causing mega problems in our country. The refining and processing of food is a mammoth business and the bread and biscuit industries of the world are obviously not going to reveal the well documented link between refined foods and modern ailments such as heart disease and cancer. The globalization of the national economy has brought along multinational brands which create 'flakes' by milling and cooking the grain, stripping it of nutrients. These brands then proceeded to artificially 'fortify' cereals with refined sugar, salt, vitamins and preservatives, thus also fortifying its bottom line by subtle manipulation of our traditional food culture.

The portents are ominous and it is high time we take timely measures so that the country is saved from a near catastrophic situation.

Panacea from Rural Technology

None of the B vitamins are found in high concentrations in any food. Rice contains thiamine but a large proportion of it is lost when it is polished. If the water in which polished rice is cooked is drained off, further loss of vitamins occurs. Parboiled rice or home-pounded rice preserves its vitamins better than polished rice. Wheat milled with 70 per cent or less extraction to produce white flour for baking bread or cake is poor in thiamine. In India, baked bread is eaten in large cities by relatively wealthy people who supplement their diet with other foodstuffs containing thiamine. Villages in Goa quickly picked up this trend during the post-liberation era. In other Indian villages, wheat eaten as unleavened bread (chapathi) is made from wheat flour ground at home. This is passed through a sieve which removes only about five per cent of the coarse bran, that is with 95 per cent extraction. Thus, chapathis retain thiamine. Millets like bajra (Pennisetum

Typhoideum) or Jowar (Sorghum Vulgare) eaten by villagers are similarly extracted to the extent of about 95 per cent and the loss of natural vitamins is not great. Commercial preparations of thiamine are either extracted from a natural source or synthesized.

Traditional Food Culture

A current trend in affluent countries is to return to the old food culture. For instance, there is an increasing demand for organically grown food and vegetarianism is spreading among people far and wide. Due to globalization, there is a rapid change of habits among Indians. Simultaneously, there has been a surge in heart diseases. In their hurry to ape the West, Indians fail to differentiate good food habits from bad ones. The results are there for all to see. When food and nutrition education programmes are vigorously implemented by government agencies as well as NGOs, emphasizing the ill-effects of polished grains and flours, demand will grow for the supply of the unpolished variety made on traditional grinding stones. There is ample scope for women's cooperatives and self-help groups in villages to come forward to undertake such income generation activities using traditional food technology. Foreign tourists will find flour making on the traditional grinding stone an attraction. Snacks such as 'zondleachi roti' and 'rajgira laddu' and lunch prepared by villagers can also be popularized. Curious tourists may also try their hand at 'dantem' or the traditional grinding stone, 'patravalli' (leaf plates) and 'donne' (leaf bowls), generating demand for these articles during this ecofriendly period, in addition to natural cures.

Teen Troubles

Never before have there been so many teenagers in India with such lavish consumerist lifestyles. Neither have they had it so good. But statistics trickling in from hospitals and health centres tell a more sombre story. A large number of them are unhealthy. From obesity to diabetes to depression, Indian teenagers are susceptible to a range of diseases that were earlier the bane of adults. The

implications are grave because a number of studies show how many adult ailments have their roots in adolescence. According to a national survey, one in three teenagers has bad eyesight. At least 30 per cent have bad teeth. 17 per cent are overweight, says a Chennai study. On the other extreme, a survey of a Delhi school showed four per cent of teenagers had tried drastic measures like induced vomiting and drugs to loose weight. A possible one-third of young girls could have reproductive tract infections. At least 20 per cent of teenagers are likely to be depressed and a government working group report says 40 per cent admit to severe anxiety. Another study says that a third of teenagers have imbibed alcohol and addictive substances. With raging hormones, teenage problems are hardly news. What is significant is that this generation is particularly badly hit. The problem is growing, literally. The overweight teenager is now a very visible urban phenomenon. “Adolescent obesity is like an epidemic,” admits a senior consultant endocrinologist in a city hospital. A survey of city schools shows that three per cent of overweight adolescents are diabetic, while many others have high blood glucose levels and are on the verge of diabetes. “It does not occur to most parents that their children's weight could be a health problem,” says the endocrinologist. More worrying are the increasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. According to statistical data collected by a Health Centre in an Indian town, of every 50 adolescents, 19 have high blood cholesterol levels, while every one in 15 has dangerously high levels. Adolescents also provide a first glimpse of what can be expected in later life as many as 80 per cent of obese adolescents grow into obese adults. Numerous studies show that obese, diabetic or hypertensive adolescents are twice as likely to die young of heart diseases.

A Bagfull of Ills

Will this frighten adolescents into healthy

living? “Teenagers live for today,” explains a counsellor. “You have to explain it to them in a way that will affect their life now for it to have an impact.” Burgers, pizzas, chocolates, chips and colas attack the teeth too. “This generation does not bite or chew food,” says a school health officer. “They only have soft, carbohydrate rich food which does nothing to their teeth”. 70 per cent of 11 to 18-year-olds who visit the dentist suffer not only from cavities but also bleeding gums and bad breath – problems caused by deposition of food in the teeth. The diet shift to junk food is even being held responsible for subtle evolutionary changes. Young people's jaws, says a dentist, are becoming smaller and with little need for hard chewing, wisdom teeth come out late or not at all. Milk teeth do not naturally fall out in up to 40 per cent of teenagers and dentists have to intervene. The situation is grave. It is crucial that doctors, parents and teachers work together to support these children. Schools should train counsellors and the curricula should include advice on teenage health problems.

Situation in Goa

In a statewide nutrition survey carried out a few years ago by the Food and Nutrition Board, Government of India and the Nutrition cell of the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa, it was found that along with Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM), nutritional anemia is widespread, particularly among women and children due to low consumption of green leafy vegetables-the only source of iron and other essential nutrients for the poor population. Moreover, in several short-term field studies, it was found that families in which both the husband and wife work outside the home have satisfactory incomes but lack knowledge to make the right food choices. This aspect is particularly striking in Goa in view of its high literacy rate. It is in this area that nutrition education programmes undertaken by government agencies as well as NGOs have an important role to play. There is a vast scope for imaginative nutrition education programmes in Goa aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality related to malnutrition.

WELLNESS

Parineeta Sethi is the publisher & editor- in chief of four Niche Magzines: ‘AsiaSpa India‘, ‘Asia Pacific Boating India’ , ‘Millionaire Asia India’ & `Selling World Travel’. She is an authority on Spa and has closely followed the Spa culture in Goa.

If you’re heading to Goa for a relaxing vacation, book yourself into the award-winning Sereno Spa at Park Hya�, Goa

Courtyard of

Tranquility

adiating an ambiance of luxurious wellness from every corner, Sereno Spa lies sprawled across 36000 square feet, along the picturesque Arossim beach, part of the Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa. An expansive Ayurvedaand yoga-inspired menu, a soothing, verdant ambiance, a breathtaking sea view and a great team, are just some of the reasons why this spa finds itself consistently ranked among the best in the world. An interesting design layout has the treatment rooms arranged around a central space they call the “Courtyard of Tranquility,” so you are shut off from outside distractions. Altogether, the facility has nine spa suites and seven outdoor spa pavilions that include single and double

treatment rooms. There are excellent addon amenities – each indoor suite has its own outdoor plunge pool, private shower area and steam facility. If you’d like to add yoga to your experience here, Sereno Spa has an extensive Yoga programme, including one called partner yoga, and another for weight reduction. You can choose the indoor yoga studio or (when the weather permits) the outdoor area. They also have a gymnasium, common steam and sauna rooms and a refreshing spa drink menu. The menu is innovative and takes a holistic approach to wellness, with Ayurvedic treatments, wellness and personalized spa programmes, beauty treatments and yoga activities.

Before starting, it’s a good idea to consult their in house Ayurvedic physician, to understand not just the Ayurvedic healing principles that govern these therapies, but additionally, to find out which would suit you best, based on your own medical history, lifestyle, and mental and emotional state. You can book a consultation session to help get a better idea of your own innate constitution and the Prakruti balancing measures, at the reception itself. You could also book a session for stress management, nutritional guidance, follow-up guidelines and herbal preparations. Rates here are decided on an hourly basis, irrespective of the combination of treatments, starting with Rs. 2500 for an hour, and going up to Rs. 6250 for three

hours. All treatments start with a “welcome ritual” that involves cleansing the feet and conclude with home care guidelines or products. The physician recommends a programme, based on your inner balance and needs. This could be the Kapha Shamak - the morning balance, ideally done between 8 am and 11 am, the Pitta Shamak – the mid-day balance, recommended between 11am – 2 pm or the Vata Shamak – the evening balance, ideally held between 3pm and 6pm. Each of these includes three of the requisite therapies, a steam and balancing shower in the Therapy Suite, a specially prepared natural drink, and home care guidelines to help continue the effects of the therapies. Try their full body indulgences like the Indian Clay Body Wrap, Herb and Salt Body Glow, Cooling Aloe and Lavender Masque, or the soothing, three-and- a - half hour long “Samudra” ritual that helps tone the skin on your face and body, using luxurious seaweed and mineral-based products. You can also address a problematic area

Indoor treatment suite, Sereno Spas at Park

with a corresponding therapy – for example, the Bhuja Raksha, which uses pressure point stimulation and warm herbal powder bags, works to ease the neck and shoulder strain, while the Pada Abhyanga and Kati Raksha focus on the leg and feet, and lower back areas, respectively. Besides, the spa has universally popular Ayurvedic offerings like the Marma Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Prana Massage and Udwarthanam. Says the spa director Dr. Pramod Kumar, “Most of our clientele are from India, UK, Russia and Germany. The age fluctuates from mid 30's to late 60's. They prefer the traditional Ayurvedic therapies and yoga, but Swedish massages are also quite popular.” Finish off a day of rejuvenation and pampering with the Deluxe Spa Manicure and Pedicure, and one of their facials – the energizing 'Traditional Marma Facial’ or the relaxing ‘Amritham Herbal Facial’ which uses concoctions made from herbs, flowers, essential oils and naturally occurring minerals.

CUISINE

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

Delicious soups to whet your appetite

Souping

It Up

Caldo Verde

Spinach and Potato Soup

Sopa de Camerao

Ingredients

Prawn Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients Prawns 1 cup (250 grams) Egg 1 Potatoes 2 medium Onion 2 medium Prawn stock or water 4 cups Butter 2 tablespoons Milk 1 ½ cup White pepper powder 1 teaspoon Salt to taste

Method

devein and chop the prawns into small pieces. Beat 1Peel, the egg. Peel the potatoes and onion, cut into pieces and boil in 2two cups of stock or water till soft. Blend to a puree. Heat the butter in a pan; add the prawns and sauté for a 3few minutes. Add the potato and onion purée, the remaining two cups of stock or water, milk, egg, white pepper powder and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, lower heat and cook over medium heat till it comes to a boil again. Remove immediately from heat and serve hot. Note: You can make prawn stock by boiling the heads and shells of prawns in water.

Spinach leaves Potatoes Butter Garlic, chopped Milk Vegetable stock cubes Veg stock cubes White pepper powder Salt to taste

24 3 medium 2 tablespoons 15 cloves 2 cups 2 cups 2 1 teaspoon

Method

the spinach leaves finely. Boil, peel and grate the 1Chop potatoes. Heat the butter in a pan and sauté the chopped garlic 2minute; till light brown. Add the spinach and sauté for a add the grated potatoes and sauté till they

change colour. Add the milk, stock or water, stock cubes, white pepper powder and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer over medium heat for two minutes till moderately thick. Serve hot.

3 4

Note: In Portuguese, ‘caldo’ is broth and ‘verde’ is green. This spinach and potato soup is a nutritious wholesome meal in itself.

Canja de Galinha

Chicken and Rice Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients Boneless chicken White rice Oil Garlic Chopped Finely chopped, onion Chicken stock or water White pepper powder Chicken stock cube Salt to taste

250 grams 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons 5 cloves 1 medium 3 cups 1 teaspoon 1

Method

the chicken till tender in one cup water. Remove from the stock and 1Boil shred it. Reserve the stock. Heat the oil in a pan; sauté the garlic and onion till they change colour. 2Add three cups of stock or water and rice and cook till the rice is tender. Add the shredded chicken, the reserved stock, pepper powder, stock 3heatcubeandandservesaltimmediately. to taste. As soon as the soup comes to a boil, remove from

Sopa de Abobora

Pumpkin Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients Pumpkin Oil Mustard Seeds Bay Leaves Garlic, Onion chopped Celery, chopped Water Vegetable stock cube Fresh cream Pepper powder Salt to taste

600 grams 2 tablespoons ½ teaspoon 2 2 tablespoons 3 tablespoons 4 cups 2 1 cup 1 ½ teaspoon

Method

1 2

Peel, chop and boil the pumpkin in two cups of water till soft. Mash or make a fine purée of it and set aside.

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to splutter, add the bay leaves and chopped garlic and stir fry for a minute till the garlic is light brown. Add the chopped onion and celery and saute till the onion changes colour.

Add the pumpkin purée and sauté for two minutes. Add two cups of water, stock cube and salt to taste. Cook over a low heat for a few minutes.

4 5

Stir in the fresh cream and pepper powder and leave to simmer for two minutes. Serve hot.

HOSPITALITY

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

THE SCORE

10 10 OUT OF

Goa The Alila Diwa

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Perfect

Sunsetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

hen you contemplate a holiday in Goa, you probably daydream of sun, sea and sand. Now a new hotel group has arrived in Goa that has become Goa’s first Destination hotel. The Hotel allows you to enjoy all of this and more. The name ‘Alila’ comes from Sanskrit meaning surprise and what a lovely way to describe this luxurious contemporary design hotel for guests to the hotel, staying or not, as all are welcome to enjoy this ‘surprisingly’ different experience. Situated in South Goa, Majorda Beach is just a stone’s throw away and can be seen in the near distance. But what captures an all encompassing Goan feel is that the Alila Diwa Goa is situated amidst lush paddy fields, where local farmers attend to their crops while the buffalo loiters around with its avian friend, the egret.

The Alila Diwa Goa has 114 rooms and suites of various categories to suit all guests— business, leisure, family, couples or singles. It also hosts a wide variety, of activities for the restless. With a Mini Theatre, Kids Activity Centre and facilities for outdoor ball games, there is a lot to choose from. There are three restaurants in different locations of the hotel that bring you Goan flavours and blended cuisine from the neighbouring states and coastline. With such wonderful variety it gives little reason to venture very far. Spice Studio is a coastal speciality restaurant with local flavours and is a very impressive place to host a party. Vivo is a Live Kitchen Restaurant for all-day dining. The Edge Bar in the evening comes alive with local entertainment and is a venue where you can lounge or entertain. On arrival we were greeted by a group of lovely local staff offering a welcoming smile and a refreshing fruit drink. The formalities

of registering were extremely swift and efficient. Presentation of our passports, a quick signature and we were checked in and taken to our suite, and I must say - this is a suite experience - an airy and very open room with a spacious private balcony. Our suite overlooked a panoramic view of local Goa which left me mesmerised. The lady who escorted us to the room was informative about how everything worked, as she showed us the bathroom, the size of the bath and the walk in wardrobe. I was delighted at the thought that I had two days to enjoy all of this and the other facilities the Alila Diwa Goa has to offer. During our stay, we found ourselves relaxing in the sunken sun beds, sipping on champagne and enjoying what I consider to be one of the best aspects of the Alila Diwa Goa--its Infinity Pool. Situated perfectly within the grounds of the hotel, with amazing views and friendly staff to cater to all our needs. To end our day it was the perfect place to enjoy a perfect sunset.

ACHIEVER OF THE MONTH

Viegas

ith her first photo shoot under her belt at just 13, aspiring model Zara Viegas from Arpora is no rookie. Discovered by noted Goan photographer Prasad Pankar and model Dawn Mortimer, Zara began modelling professionally a-year-and-a-half ago. Her debut fashion show was with Goan designer, Monty Sally and was based on a man, metal and machine theme. She has also worked with Indian fashion industry names like Mumbai fashion designer Felix Bendish and photographer Prabuddha Dasgupta. Currently in the midst of completing her degree at the Institute of Hotel Management in Goa, the 21-year-old is determined to take her modelling career to a national level. ‘VIVAGOA’ GETS PERSONAL WITH ZARA Your fashion statement for June Shorts and a T-shirt with a cute raincoat and matching sandals

Your favourite monsoon hairstyle A French braid Your beauty mantra To remove all makeup as soon as I reach home and to cleanse my skin A fashion designer you would die to model for… There are two - Manish Malhotra and Vera Wang Your favourite holiday destination Thailand (for now) Your favourite eating joint Wan Ho (the Chinese restaurant at Goa Marriot) Your fashion addiction Rings A beauty product you can’t live without L'Oreal matrix hair serum Your fashion icon There are so many, but from Goa it has to be Dawn Mortimer

Your favourite pastime Sitting on the beach with a good book