EDITORIAL NOTE I
Amchem Goenkar, mentors of Make-A-Wish Foundation, India
n a grasping and avaricious world, the power of giving is a rare quality. Uday and Gita Joshi from Vasco exemplify that generous spirit. When their eight-year-old son Gandhar succumbed to leukemia in 1994, they did not allow grief to subjugate that spirit. They rose heroically above the pain and invested it with an enduring legacy: they began India’s first Make-A-Wish Foundation, which had its genesis in the US and is now spread across 36 countries. The aim of this foundation is simple yet touching: to grant a wish to a child suffering from a life-threatening illness. On the surface this might seem an exercise in sentimentality, but in reality it has provided joy and a spark of life to thousands of children in India. Wishes range from simple ones like a camera or a computer game to a meeting with favourite stars like Shahrukh Khan or Sachin Tendulkar. The foundation, through the magnanimity of Uday and Gita and their volunteers and benefactors, has granted over 21,000 wishes across India. Kindness accompanied by a spirit of selfless giving is a rare quality. It places your heart where your pocket or bank balance is and imposes on your time.
Gita and Uday are always looking out for volunteers, and should you like to be a part of this selfless endeavour, do feel free to contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Goa branch, in Vasco. Best-selling author and policy analyst in the White House during the Reagan administration, Dinesh D’Souza took some time off in Goa, the place of his origins and elaborated on his views with us, while Tata and Gandha Thakur were kind enough to open the doors of their home in Altinho, where the chic understated interiors blend artfully with the geometric contemporariness of the exteriors. At another level is activist and actor Dr Meenacshi MartinsShukla who has worked tirelessly for the rights of women and children in Goa. We are pleased to feature this multi-faceted personality. Reunions are very exciting events in every one's life. It was a very nostalgic feeling to meet classmates you have spent five years with after two decades. The highlight of the Goa College of Art Class of '91 (Applied Art) was learning that one of my classmates Sheetal Paknikar went on to complete a masters course in visual communication at IIT Powai, Mumbai. It isn't every day that you hear of an art college student
READERS’ RESPONSE I thoroughly enjoy going through Viva Goa. The magazine is compact, with a very beautiful layout and the articles make interesting reading. I am sure it will become very popular with the Goans. Ramnath G Kare, Margao Viva Goa, Goa’s first lifestyle magazine, has rocked the people of Goa. Any age group can relate to this magazine. It keeps you updated of all the necessary things, may it be architecture, young achievers, technology and the best thing is that it is at an affordable price. Features on influential people can motivate young entrepreneurs who seek to establish themselves in society by following in the footsteps and experiences of their icons. Keep up the good work! Manisha J Naik, Chairperson Goa State Social Welfare Board
getting into IIT. As the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi dawns on us, we are happy to present a new series on Goa's diverse villages and their peculiarities. With the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi, we've started off with Cumbarjua – incidentally my native village – where the best Ganesh idols are made and the chitra or dekhava meaning installations draw people from all over Goa. The village is famous for its marsh crocodiles but more so for the annual pilgrimage of its village deity Goddess Shantadurga, whose temple although located in the adjourning village of Marcel, visits every Hindu house in Cumbarjua beginning on Gudi Padva. This is probably one of Goa's many unique traditions. We wish all our readers a joyous Chaturthi. Viva Goa!
Kedar Dhume editor@vivagoaonline.com
FUNNY BONE Artist Dr Subodh Kerkar has created a niche for himself especially in the field of land art and installations. He also has a humourous side. He shares a cartoon exclusively with Viva Goa readers
Viva Goa invites comments from its readers. Letters should be short and relevant and can be sent to editor@vivagoaonline.com Editor & 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.
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HEALTH Good Health Begins At Home By Dr Digambar Naik
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LEISURE BOATING
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A fleet of firms dealing in leisure, boats and yachts are expected at the Goa International Marine & Boat Expo 2011
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Kedar N Dhume
editor@vivagoaonline.com
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COVER STORY The Magic of a Wish
Uday and Gita Joshi wave their wands to bring smiles to thousands of children with life-threatening illnesses across the country. By bringing the MakeA-Wish Foundation to India, the Goan couple have helped ease the pain of more than 21,000 children so far. They share their experiences with Viva Goa
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AFTER HOURS Adv Manohar Usgaocar Former Additional Solicitor General of India
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LEGAL BRIEF Humane Governance
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VIVA GOANS Dinesh D’Souza
Author and former policy analyst at the White House
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FITNESS Six Golden Rules To Health and Fitness By Nivedita Dempo
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GUEST COLUMN
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INTERIORS/ EXTERIORS
Emylou D’Souza Dielle D’Souza
Assistant Editors reporter@vivagoaonline.com
Arch Siddha Sardessai explores the visual openness at Tata & Gandha Thakur’s home in Altinho, Panaji
Chief Sub-Editor
Janice Rodrigues
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Design
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HOSPITALITY Godwin Hotels
By Sinead McManus
Epifanio Fernandes Photographer
60 page 62 page 66 page 75 page 82
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BIZ NOTES
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COUTURE Lakmé Fashion Week By Wendell Rodricks
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WELLNESS Quan Spa
By Parineeta Sethi
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Editorial Consult ant
Manohar Shetty
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Actor, psychiatrist and social activist
shailesh@kemistry.in
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HOMING IN
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Shailesh M Amonkar
By Pantaleao Fernandes
Jay Bhikha, country head of World Wines and Spirits gives us a taste of the stylish beverage
FIRST LADY Dr Meenacshi Martins-Shukla
Principal Consultant
VILLAGE LORE Cumbarjua
By Justice J S Verma
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Editor & Publisher
British fitness expert Rahim Bernard finds a similarity between Jamaica, the land of his birth, and Goa
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GOAN CUISINE Chaturthi Delicacies
By Chef Deepa Mhambre Awchat
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Making Wishes Come True‌
COVER STORY
The MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF INDIA began its journey in 1994, fourteen years after its birth in the United States. The moving spirit behind this unique, wish-granting organisation in the service of children with severe illnesses have been Uday and Gita Joshi from Vasco, after they lost their eight-year-old son to leukemia. Since then, like fairy godmothers, the foundation with its ten branches around the country, has granted more than 21,000 wishes all over India to children afflicted by life-threatening ailments. VIVA GOA profiles one of the foremost humanitarian NGOs in the country founded by a Goan couple A child receives his wish in Goa
By KEDAR DHUME
T
he Make-A-Wish Foundation began its unique and heartwarming journey back in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Set up to grant the wish of a child who suffered from a severe illness, the foundation now has 8
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branches in 36 countries around the world. It has fulfilled thousands of wishes, bringing joy, however fleeting, to children with life-threatening illnesses all over the world. Not all the children aged between three and 18 succumb to their ailment, many survive by the power of a wish,
but all have enjoyed a spark of love and generosity in an otherwise impassive world, a fleeting moment they have cherished and which has alleviated their suffering. The inspiration to begin such humanitarian organisations often begins with those who have been
affected the most. Such was the case with Uday – the younger brother of noted industrialist and philanthropist Vasantrao (Anna) Joshi and award-winning artist Prafulla Dahanukar from Vasco – and Gita who also hails from Sanguem, co-founders of Make-A-Wish Foundation India back in 1994 after they lost their eight-year-old son Gandhar to leukemia. Says Uday, an established architect with offices in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Goa, who apprenticed under Charles Correa in Mumbai, “Our son Gandhar had fever for more than two months and nobody could detect what was wrong with him in Goa. So we took him to Mumbai where the blood cancer was confirmed. We started with the treatment and then suddenly he suffered a relapse. The doctors told us that there was nothing they could do for him in India. He had to be taken to the US for a bone marrow transplant.” Fortunately for the stricken Joshi family, a niece was conducting research in Dukes Memorial Hospital in the US. They spent several months there. During the course of his treatment, Make-A-Wish volunteers talked to their son Gandhar, in their absence and at one point they asked him what he would like to do when he got well. He said he wanted to go to Disney World. The volunteers granted his wish and took care of everything. Visit to Disney World Recalls Uday, “I remember that the plane tickets were handed over and a car was waiting for us in Orlando, so we could travel on our own. It was peak time at Disney World, but our son Gandhar had a badge that gave him first preference in the queue. Another organisation that helped us out was Give Kids the World. The person who started it was a hotelier in Orlando, who created a wonderful facility spreading over acres of land for sick children who come to visit Disney World, so Make-A-Wish contacted him regarding accommodation.” In a way of exorcising their grief, the Joshis began their affiliate to the international foundation, though initially they had no idea how to run an NGO. Gita first set about by visiting hospitals and scouting for volunteers. They were also advised to approach the media. When they were featured on
to health problems, the the cover of ‘The Week’, the movement second and then the third gathered momentum, with them wishes are considered so receiving several calls a day. Though a the child is few thought they were like Santa Claus not disappointed. bearing gifts for sick children, there were many who were willing to lend A Hard Lesson a helping hand. The foundation now The foundation has made it a point not has ten branches in India with over to refer to anyone as ‘terminally ill’ after a hundred volunteers, approximately a rather unfortunate incident when a 95 per cent of whom are housewives child who didn’t know he was suffering who have a few hours to spare to visit from a life-threatening illness learnt it hospitals. It has so far granted over through a newspaper. 21,000 wishes all over India and over This occurred when tabla maestro 300 wishes in Goa. Zakir Hussain granted a wish to a child Goa Medical College is the main to play the tabla with him, and the hospital in the state where contact is made as even children from orphanages media, present to cover an unrelated event, splashed the headline come there for treatment. Typically, ‘Zakir Hussain grants child’s last wish’ volunteers meet the doctors first – in the newspaper the next day. pediatricians and oncologists mainly. The news came as a shock to the child, “We identify the children who are his neighbourhood, school friends and seriously ill and those who suffer from teachers who were unaware of the serious chronic ailments. Gita and her team of volunteers then spend time with seriousness of his condition. It also caused some resentment in the child them, talking to them to find out what, against his well-meaning parents. amid the anguish of their illness, Says Uday, “Such revelations in the could make them really happy,” says Dr Mimi Silveira, head of department, paediatrics, GMC. The doctors and the volunteers are aware of the criteria – the child has to be suffering from a life-threatening illness – it could be a hole in the heart, cancer, AIDS or any other potentially fatal ailment. Doctors have to certify that the child is eligible to be a wish child and they take the parents’ permission. Then the volunteers begin to interact with the child, tactfully asking them what they would like to do when they get well, where they would like to go on holiday or if they would like to meet their idol. The ailing child is often asked to make three wishes. In case the first Gita and Uday Joshi wish cannot be granted SEPTEMBER 2011 9
A doctor for a day A wish child poses in a police uniform
media can be devastating as many parents don’t like to go public on such painful and personal matters. It can be detrimental to the whole cause. We want to highlight the positive aspect, the celebration of life, of whatever may be the length of the child’s life. They should have a great time while they are fit enough to enjoy. So we dropped the ‘terminally ill’ tag a few years ago. Now we use the term life-threatening illnesses.” Adds Gita, “Once the child finds out, he begins to feel sad and starts to question the parents. This particular child received calls from his relatives in Gujarat asking why he hadn’t told them anything. He began to receive special treatment at school, so the boy and his family were disturbed. I had to
explain the entire situation to clear the air.” Most Popular Wishes What do the affected children generally wish for? Gita and Uday have a ready answer, explaining they are usually faced with four kinds of wishes: a much-desired possession like a camera or video game or a computer. These are the most common wishes, followed by travel wishes to a holiday destination or a native place. The third most favoured on the wish-list is meeting a celebrity like Sachin Tendulkar or Shahrukh Khan or even
President Pratibha Patil. One child, whose wish was recently granted, was ecstatic during his encounter with Ratan Tata. The fourth kind of wish is much rarer when a child wants to become somebody for a day. One boy wanted to be a customs officer. So he was given a uniform and allowed to check the crew members – though not the general public. He received many chocolates and loads of gifts. One girl had an even simpler wish – to eat a watermelon, something she had never eaten before. That was the simplest wish the foundation had ever encountered. The child was given a fruit basket along with many gifts to enhance the joy of her wish. Apart from Tendulkar, children most want to meet Amitabh Bachchan,
Wish children meet Akshay Kumar
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M S Dhoni, Akshay Kumar or Salman Khan. The celebrities themselves, who are always eager to help out, are well aware of Make-A-Wish Foundation as it has been around for years. Raising Funds The foundation has never had a problem raising funds as it connects straight to the hearts of people. With some NGOs, donors often don’t know where their money is going, but with Make-A-Wish, donors are sent proof that a wish has been fulfilled. It’s a transparent system, with most of the money spent on fulfilling wishes rather than on administration. Donations are also received through the Make-A-Wish International website. The foundation also sends money for special needs like the opening of the new Kolkata branch. Several corporates including the Taj Group, Disney India, Cadbury, Microsoft, Lilliput, HDFC Life, GlaxoSmithkline, Cox &Kings, NDTV Imagine, Mattel and other companies sponsor the foundation, besides generous individuals. Says Uday, “The Times of India also gave us some free space in the paper. One girl wanted to meet Govinda. So they put a small advertisement announcing that
Sachin Tendulkar autographs a bat for a wish child
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an ailing child wanted to meet him. We received loads of calls, including from Govinda’s niece, who helped us contact him. We also visit all kinds of hospitals, about 30 in Mumbai, though Tata Memorial Centre is the main one. Pediatricians call us if they feel a certain child is eligible. We receive tremendous help from doctors.” Heartwarming Moments Says Uday, “Cox and Kings in Goa has been especially great with making the travel arrangements. They sponsor the whole wish. This year at the international conference we will be recognising them as our sponsors in India. They have donated 35,000 dollars in kind, which is more than a crore.” The foundation has gone through many heart-warming moments. Uday recalls the time when a doctor got in touch with them to grant a wish to a child who was in a very critical condition at Nair Hospital, Mumbai. He said that the child would not survive for more than a few days. After meeting volunteers, the child asked to meet Shahrukh Khan. When he arrived, the child was completely dumbfounded. Shahrukh asked what he could do for him, and the boy said that he wanted to
watch him while shooting, so Shahrukh invited him over. The volunteers took him on location and the child stayed around for four hours, despite his condition. Shahrukh eventually lent his car to drop the child off. Three or four years later, Uday was attending a function in Chembur when suddenly a lady bent down to touch his feet. It was the mother of the child who had recovered from his sickness and was now six feet tall and perfectly healthy. This is what the NGO refers to as the ‘Power of a Wish’. Another instance was when a boy wanted to play cricket with Sachin. The entire team played with him during net practice and gifted him a cricket kit. For 12-year-old Abhishek Gavit from Pernem, the mobile phone he received this August was just what he wished for at a small meet at Kala Academy. Gita fulfilled the wish of the boy who must visit the GMC for treatment every month. Special Event in Goa Every year an international conference is organised, usually in the US, though the next one will be in Dublin, Ireland. The India chapter would like to host one too, either in Delhi or Goa. The Goa branch of Make-A-Wish is helped by NGOs like Positive People and Zindagi-Goa that handle AIDS cases.
However, the wishes here have been quite simple like travel or a computer. The Joshis plan a special event later this year to commemorate their son’s 30th birthday which falls on November 7. Says Gita, “My son was the inspiration to set up Make-A-Wish in India. He would have been 30 this year. To commemorate his birth anniversary, we are organising an event at Kala Academy a week later. It will be about children helping children. Kanchan Sontakke, who has been involved in such work for over 25 years, has conducted workshops with teachers in Goa to train special children. Her foundation, Natyashala, will perform at the show. The other will be a celebrity group called the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Marathi L’il Champs. We are calling the programme ‘Kids Helping Kids’. This support will help fulfill more wishes in Goa and in all our other chapters too. Uday and Gita are in search of more volunteers for the occasion in the state. Viva Goa hopes that the Goan populace helps make this a memorable event and will continue to support the foundation.
Shahid Kapoor meets a wish child
Contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation on goa.division@makeawishindia.org or gita.ujoshi@gmail.com n
‘A Heart-wrenching Experience’ I have been privileged to be associated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation from the time they started their operations in Goa Medical College (GMC) in 2003. Since then more than 300 children have been helped by this organisation. Gita Joshi, who is the backbone of the foundation in Goa, has been very dedicated and committed to her work. It is amazing to see how Gita interacts with them. She has become a beacon of joy and hope, and a Santa Claus to so many of our children! I have attended many wish functions organised by her. It is a heart-wrenching experience. These children, almost crushed with the weight of their illness, seem so different on that day. One can see the joy and happiness in their faces when they go up to the podium to get their cherished wish. More than the child, one can see so much happiness in their parents and grandparents. For them, seeing their children have what they really wished for and so happy fills their hearts with gratitude. For them it is a blessing from above. There are many children diagnosed with life-threatening conditions. Make-A-Wish brings them joy, happiness and hope. I sincerely wish the foundation all God’s blessings to continue this beautiful work and I appeal to everyone to help them achieve this with their generosity. – Dr Mimi Silveira Head of Department, Paediatrics, Goa Medical College
Wishing Well Make-A-Wish India is headquartered in Mumbai with ten additional divisions in Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Dehli, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. The offices are supported by 180 active volunteers. Make-A-Wish India has granted over 21,000 wishes since its inception in 1996, 3,514 of which were granted in 2010 alone. Its founders, Uday and Gita Joshi remain active as managing trustee and volunteer, helping to train, educate, support wish-granting and raise funds for the foundation. Their passion for the mission and their dedication to children in India is one that should not go unrecognised. Gita Joshi is Make-A-Wish India’s Volunteer of the Year for 2010-2011. – DeAnna Johnson Wish Assist Manager, Make-A-Wish Foundation International, USA SEPTEMBER 2011 13
‘Goa’s Family Laws
AFTER HOURS
Are
A column in which CEOs, political figures and other busy professionals reveal how they relax and spend their spare time
Unique’
A veteran in law circles, senior advocate and one of Goa’s foremost legal luminaire MANOHAR SINAI USGAOCAR on his mission to train advocates and restoring what has been lost in the state 14
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Pics by Edric George
M
anohar Sinai Usgaocar still describes himself as a student of the law. The former Additional Solicitor General of India, Usgaocar has had the opportunity to serve the Central Government as also within Goa when he was appointed Advocate General for a short span during President’s Rule. Usgaocar dedicates his time to various institutions as chairman of the General Body of Saraswat Vidyalaya Society and of the Academy of Community Development International Living Trust (ACDIL) in Porvorim. He recently took some time off with Viva Goa On a typical day at work My time is spent hearing cases, holding conferences with advocates on revision matters or drafting future cases and in offering opinions on points of law and in settlement of petitions. On relocating from Goa to Delhi It was a wonderful experience dealing with a wide range of matters before the Supreme Court. It was also an opportunity to appear before the High Courts of different states. Initially, in my private practice, the cases I dealt with were more from private litigants and rarely from the government and public authorities. However, when I was appointed as Additional Solicitor General of India, my appearances before the Supreme Court were to defend the cases of the Central Government, which gave me an opportunity to serve the Union of India. As I was based in the capital, I had many opportunities to attend conferences and seminars, thereby enriching my knowledge. Subsequently, I had the opportunity to serve in Goa when I was appointed Advocate General for a short span, during President’s Rule in the state. On what he likes about Goa and what he would wish to change What I love most about Goa are the family laws, which are uniform to all, independent of any religion, caste or creed, satisfying thereby the goal of Article 44 of the Constitution of India.
I love the Portuguese Civil Code of 1887, as well as the Portuguese Civil Procedure Code of 1939, the Code of Comunidades, governing the Comunidade of Goa, as well as Regulamento das Mazanias and Regulamento das Confrarias which are unique institutions not found elsewhere in India. We have the Indian Criminal Procedure Code to administer the Indian Penal Code. The question here is: What does the Indian Civil Procedure administer? The answer would logically be to administer the Civil Code, because we have no such code. Like we have the Penal Code, which is for the whole of India, is it not ideal to have a Civil Code, Commercial Code and Administrative Code? There is nothing to change in Goa. What one needs to do is restore what has been lost. On ‘unwinding’ after office hours When office employees wind up work, we advocates get ready to restart work which sometimes extends into the night and the early hours. However, when I am in the office, I never work continuously for more than an hour. I take a break and enjoy reading light literature before getting back to work. On quality time away from work Besides work related to the profession, I am also engaged in many social activities. I am the chairman or member of various institutions. My mission is to train advocates as a debt to my guru, the late Advocate Rui Gomes Pereira, who kindled the spark when I was a student of law. I was trained under his guidance as there were no law colleges available in Goa during the Portuguese regime. My strength lies in all my former trainees and associates. All of us have worked like a family. On balancing work and family First learn to take care of yourself. Only then you can take care of the family. On giving back to society An individual is the product of society, in which alone the free and full development of his personality
Adv Usgaocar with grandchildren Ojal, Shukr, Isha and Shloak
takes place. I have to give to society much more than what I have received from it. On his favourite holiday destination From 1966, I regularly enjoyed holidays at least twice a year. I either spent time in Goa, within India, or abroad. My favourite holiday destination within India is Ghataprabha in Karnataka, where the Karnataka Health Institute (KHI) run by a Goan family is based. It has a dry climate with a cool breeze, and with an hour’s walk a day, one gains strength, a healthy appetite and after a few weeks can return recharged. On his philosophy in life Do not lose control, maintain calm; do not use your tongue to hurt others; keep the ambience cordial, adjust yourself to others. Be humble with your fellowmen; respect others, even if they do not respect you; and always have a ready smile. On his message to young Goans The future of Goa is in the hands of the youth to maintain the cultural heritage of Goa, to preserve its uniform family laws and thereby achieve the goal of Article 44 of the Constitution of India. Let Goa be green as before and free from environmental pollution. n SEPTEMBER 2011 15
LEGAL BRIEF A regular column on legal affairs and philosophy
‘Humane
Governance’
JUSTICE J S VERMA, former Chief Justice of India
Excerpts from a speech delivered by Justice J S Verma at International Centre, Goa
I
t is time we to stop confining ourselves to an ill-defined concept of ’good’ governance. The contemporary notion is tilted more towards ‘humane governance’. This means governance not only for the people’s sake, but that which is owned by the people. The Preamble starts with “we the people of India” and ends with “adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution”, indicating where political tolerance should lie. Naturally, governance has to be people centric and owned by the people themselves. Those invested with public power should have no difficulties understanding their roles. In 1986, transferred as Chief Justice to Rajasthan, the then chief minister Hari Dev Joshi, an able administrator, came to visit and told me in Hindi, “Remember one thing only: what you say in the judiciary will happen.” I found this statement a little unusual. He was much older than I and a shrewd politician. I ventured to reply, “I’ve never indulged in the debate of trying to find out who is more important, 16
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the legislature, judiciary or executive. It’s a futile exercise. If you had asked me which is more important, your hands or your legs, I wouldn’t be able to say which. All of them work in cohesion. Similarly, the different wings of the state perform their own functions, but all of us are here to serve the purpose of public good.” We all know how important our respective duties are. The legislature knows what laws are to be made for what purpose, and that they are for the public good. The judiciary has to see that there is no problem in implementing them. Good governance is an amalgamation of many things, and unless you combine every one of them, you can’t have fair governance and definitely not humane governance. The Constitution also has many points on good governance. Not many are aware that the vision of free India, spelled out by Dr Rajendra Prasad, is reflected in the Directive Principles of State policy. They should be read diligently by anyone invested with public power to remind us of what is
expected of us and why we share this public power. If all of us were aware of this part of the Constitution, we wouldn’t have had two different Indias even after Partition. One division was made in 1947. Today we still have two Indias, one consisting of the ten richest people in the country, and the other of over 50 per cent of our people surviving on less than `20 a day. Consider the three percent of Indians abroad and their achievements. Some of the largest corporations in the US are manned by Indians. In England, the National Health Service, which is supposedly the best in the world, would collapse if you withdrew all the Indians in it. If that is the realised potential of a fraction of Indians, just imagine the collective potential of the entire nation. The Supreme Court, under Article 32, has a constitutional obligation to protect the human rights of every single individual. This article is often described as the soul of the Constitution. Those who framed the Constitution not only made constitutional remedy a fundamental right under Article 32, but
also enacted Article 142, so the Supreme Court is empowered to give any order apart from any decree to do complete justice to the cause. So you can resort to Article 142 to assert the right of the entire nation. The Constitution imposes a very high duty on us to protect the fundamental rights of every individual. If I cannot act I would not be fit to sit in the position I occupy now. If we stop looking at what we call “our power” and look at it as “our constitutional obligation”, then the perception will change. It all depends on how you look at power – as an elevation of your status or as a duty imposed on you. Judges don’t make laws, but are supposed to be a mandate to the legislature. The judiciary only determines the meaning of the laws. Therefore it has to accept the Directive Principles of State Policy as a mandate to interpret the laws and the Constitution. When I visit other countries, they say I preside over the most powerful court in the world. That is the perception of the Indian judiciary. With regard to the 2G Spectrum and Commonwealth Games scams, the Supreme Court is not calling the shots, but ensuring good governance wherever there is an aberration. Politicians cannot ignore this because of the fear of losing the people’s support. In order that the judiciary maintains the credibility and strength it has gained for good reason, it has to remember the poser that interventions must be used only for public good. The requirement of judicial independence is one of the basic features of the Constitution. Judicial independence depends on judicial accountability. If you lose accountability, you lose all credibility. In India the judiciary is a part of the indestructible basic structure and this is extensively provided for in the Constitution. One of the basic premises of the judiciary is that juristic intervention must be founded on principles which are either a part of the existing law of the land or a principle newly evolved. The judiciary is the custodian of the role of law. If there is a failure, the obligatory constitutional functionaries
and a third person brings the matter to the court, and if the court also says it can’t do anything as it is not under its jurisdiction, people will resort to extra-legal remedies. Along with judicial independence, there is a need for judicial accountability. There are a few silences in the Constitution which are now accepted as an advanced constitutional device to prevent a face-to-face confrontation and leave certain grey areas that offer scope for the development of a law in the proper direction, depending on the contingencies of the future. The judiciary has a role to fill in the silences of the Constitution by interpreting it in a tolerant and conventionally developed way to fulfil the needs of the time. Domestic law has to be interpreted consistently internationally. In the area covered by international law, if there is no specifically enacted domestic law, you can rely on international principles and norms, except to the extent of any inconsistency between the two. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the judiciary have been able to achieve a lot in the way of protection of rights, like monitoring child labour. The Lokpal Bill is another instance. In a democracy, everyone has a right to voice his or her own opinion but no one can suggest that his or her word is the only truth. Within the constitutional framework, the law is ultimately led by the legislature. The members of the legislature are in power because we have elected them. You can’t say that just because you don’t like the judge,
you will decide the case yourself. Two issues remain the bone of contention – one is the PM‘s intrusion and the second is the high judiciary. Article 50 of the Constitution clearly mandates the separation of the judiciary from the executive. Judicial independence and judicial review are the basic features of the Constitution which are indestructible. The subordinate judiciary is controlled under article 225 which states that the subordinate judge cannot be subjected to any kind of control other than the High Court. But that doesn’t mean that the judges are not accountable. This can be carried out by adequate clauses in the judicial accountability bill. The Lokpal is not the solution to our needs as it is not clear who will override whom. In a democracy everyone should be made accountable, but the mechanism for enforcing accountability need not be the same at every level for everyone. If the PM is included in the Lokpal, there will be no provision for President’s Rule and the nation will become unstable, nationally and internationally. In conclusion, I will quote Jeffery Jowell who said that “law is seen as institutionalised humanity.” The moral component has to always be borne in mind. Law and justice are used as two different words because law is an instrument to bring about justice. The true role of the judiciary is to read the law and interpret it to deliver justice. Justice, equity and good conscience are the key aspects required by the judiciary in good governance. n
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VIVA GOANS A regular column featuring eminent Goans living outside Goa
‘I’m Far More Goan Than What I’m Aware Of ’ He’s upset several applecarts with his conservative views, but DINESH D’SOUZA makes his opinions clear in public debates. The US-based author of Goan origin, former research fellow at Stanford University and a policy analyst in the Reagan administration has aired his views on CNN, Fox News and CNBC, while two of his 10 books have been on New York Times Bestseller lists D’Souza explains his opinion in a free-wheeling chat By DIELLE D’SOUZA
Pics by Edric George
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aving moved to the US three decades ago, Dinesh D’Souza considers his views on the “meaning of America” as having both insider and outsider perspectives. He has courted controversy but has always stood firm on his conservative beliefs by arguing his points on reason alone. From his early years in Mumbai and summer holidays in Goa, to writing for American dailies, The Boston Globe and Dartmouth Review, besides a stint at the White House during Ronald Reagan’s term as US President, D’Souza has struck clear stances on his political leanings. He lives with his wife Dixie and daughter Danielle in New York City and visits Goa as often as he can. Viva Goa spent some time with D’Souza at his sister Nandini Viegas’ home in Dona Paula How did you envision your future when you first went to the US? What made you stay on? I heard of an exchange programme through a Rotary Club interaction at my school St Stanislaus in Bandra. My parents were intrigued and spoke to my teachers, who thought it would be nice for me to get some exposure. By the end of the year I had to apply to colleges. I thought it was a long shot that I would stay on. Somehow the obstacles cleared away, but I never decided to stay on until much later. I first went for one year, then got a full scholarship and stayed for four years,
got a degree and applied to a business school. But I was also very interested in politics, so I worked for two years and then got the job at the White House. In ’91 I got engaged to a girl from Louisiana. It was about that time when I took US citizenship as my work was there and I was marrying an American. But it took me a lot of stages to feel comfortable to do that. Tell us more about your stint at the White House. I worked there for two years in my 20’s from 1987-88 during Ronald Reagan’s last two years. I was a young policy analyst and it was a wonderful opportunity. It was a chance to see the government working and in some cases not working. You also learn many things about the government that are in theory true but in practice false. In the government, it’s mainly about power. The selfishness is just as great as in the private sector, it just has a more disguised expression. I got to watch Reagan interact with the senior staff and then I wrote a short book on him in the mid 1990’s. On the face of it, he was an incredibly jovial, whimsical man. But he had very big objectives and tremendous fortitude. By the end of the Reagan years, pretty much all his major goals were being achieved. At the beginning of his term, when the Soviet Union appeared to be winning, Reagan had said, “We will leave Soviet communism on the ash
heap of history.” I don’t know a single person on any side of the political spectrum who’d thought this could actually come to pass. A lot of other things came into play, but Reagan was one of the prime movers to achieve that. I feel very honoured to have worked for him. What are your earliest and fondest memories of Goa? My father’s family is from Assagao and my mother’s from Saligao. My grandfather moved to Bombay in the 1950’s. My only memories of Goa are a couple of summer holidays. It was a very different Goa than today. My very spotty memories include swimming in rivers, sitting on balustrades of balconies, Calangute beach and old churches. How has your perspective on the US changed ever since going there? The major theme of my work today has been looking at the meaning of America from the point of view of someone who grew up in a different culture and yet has spent 30 years there. I feel like I have both outsider and insider perspectives. I have thought a lot about that question: how do you think about America, what does it represent. In America there was this tremendous emphasis on being the architect of your own life and I saw this idea of your life as not something given to you but as something constructed by you. I think the best export of America is this tremendous sense of possibility. How far can you identify yourself as a Goan? I think of myself as of Indian origin and of Goan origin. It’s very difficult to separate these things, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more aware of ways in which I resemble my parents and in which I have unconsciously imported things from my background that I was not fully aware of. The bohemian strain of ‘do whatever you want’ never appealed to me. I think that a lot of the social values I have now are the ones I brought to America. As far as my Christianity goes, I was in no way a devout Christian when I was young. I became even less devout in college, but in adult life I began to think about these issues. As an adult SEPTEMBER 2011 19
you. Ideally, this is the better approach in the long run.
Dinesh D’Souza and his daughter Danielle
you re-evaluate the same crayon Christianity from your childhood and see that those things aren’t wrong. I’m still building on it. Critics argue that the US should not play Big Brother, but instead solve their own economic problems they face at home. What is your opinion? The United States has by and large been a pretty non-interventionist country, but 9/11 was a bit of a shock that drove its sudden military involvement in Afghanistan against the Taliban and terrorist training camps. Iraq is a more controversial and problematic case. There was a feeling after 9/11 that all of this had not come out of Afghanistan and was from the Middle East. I think Bush somewhat clumsily decided to invade Iraq. But those are exceptional cases. America supports democracy, but it’s not the world’s policeman nor is it the global evangelist of democracy. Democracy is good because it produces popular accountability. So it’s a good thing that America stands up for it but it should do so carefully. Ronald Reagan’s approach to democracy – called the Reagan Doctrine – suggests that America doesn’t fight for you, but it can help 20
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Barack Obama is seeking re-election as US president next year. What do you think his chances are? I would put Obama’s chances at about 50-50 right now, but they should be a lot worse than that. He is helped mainly by the fact that the opposition i.e. the Republicans don’t have a leading candidate. The problem is that a lot of the shine has worn off since he was elected. His appeal is that he’s young, good looking, well spoken – he looks and sounds the way most people want the American president to look and sound. However, at a time when global capitalism is saving the world and more capitalism is needed to revive the American economy, he’s pulling in the opposite direction. He’s not a pure socialist, but he genuinely believes that the state is the primary engine of economic prosperity, which is ridiculous. I think many Americans are beginning to figure this out. His foreign policies are in a mess too, but his economic policies are hurting him more, politically.
RAPID FIRE
You visit Goa… Every two years on average. My daughter likes it very much so we like to come Three things you must do when you come to Goa… Walk on the beach in the rain. Go to one of the historic Goan churches and listen to some of the classic Portuguese-Goan songs
India passed a landmark judgment last year that legalised homosexuality. As a conservative, what is your view? I have my reservations but I don’t support harassing or penalising homosexuals in any way. The problem in the West is that the homosexuals’ rights movement is seen as piggybacking on the feminist movement and the civil rights movement. So being a homosexual is similar to being seen as female or being black and I think that analogy is dubious. It goes from toleration to approval and then subsidy. My view as a conservative is: legalise it, yes. Encourage it? No. Do you consider your work as an author a part of your religious duty as an Evangelical Christian? Not at all. I’ve been a secular writer for my whole career. Two of my ten books are basically about religion, but they are not religious books. One concerns ideas that are about Christianity and the other is about life after death, which are argued on the basis of reason alone. I got into this debate almost by accident – an acquaintance from the political world, Christopher Hitchens emerged as America’s leading atheist, and wrote a book about how God is not great. I saw him debate a pastor and thought it was an unfair fight, because the typical person is not trained to debate a man like this. I thought it would be kind of fun for me to jump in the arena. I enjoyed it and then found myself being invited to speak in big churches. I’m serious about my Christianity and I focus on the atheist and secular critique of religion. It’s not a religious duty. It’s something I do because I enjoy the ideas. n
Favourite Goan dish… Prawn balchao Favourite place to visit… The Taj Village Favourite Indian author… Jhumpa Lahiri Goa is… One of the very few places that combines natural beauty with history
FITNESS
NIVEDITA DEMPO is an ACE certified personal trainer and the owner of Studio 101, a holistic fitness and wellness centre
6 Golden Rules
To Health And Fitness
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ave you tried losing weight over and over again and not succeeded? Have you tried expensive diets with a nutritionist, lost weight only to gain it all back? Or spent money on supplements that promised more than they could deliver? What do you think is your number one roadblock to being fit? Is it the number of calories you take in? Think again. If you’ve been feeling discouraged, rest assured you’re not alone. As a fitness professional, I meet people like you every day. My advice to them is to live by the following six vital rules that use the mind-body connection to help their weight-loss efforts. Rule #1: Accept that radical diets don’t help you in the long run Every year you try to eat less and less, but gain more and more. Sure, some of 25 22
What are we missing in our weight loss battle? Extreme dieting or a crazy fitness regimen is not the solution. Follow these golden rules to stay fit the right way
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this has to do with the biology of ageing, but it also due to the damage all those fad diets have done to your metabolism. There’s no miracle pill or plan that can lead to easy weight loss. When you pursue that radical diet, you will lose weight, but then you will get sick of it and go back to your normal eating habits. This leads you back to where you started, but only more discouraged. By depriving ourselves, our bodies go into a starvation mode, where even 1,000 calories of consumption a day leads to weight gain. This metabolic starvation, in addition to not helping you lose weight in the long run, also leads to the deterioration of your health. Instead of approaching food with a deprivation mind-set, consider feasible, small changes that you can make over the long term
like increasing exercise and “chew foods” – highly nutritious and fibrous but low-calorie foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Rule #2: Focus on fitness, not thinness Are these two words, fitness and thinness, mutually exclusive in your mind? Can you be fit but not thin? Can you be thin but not fit? For a long time I associated thinness with fitness. Over the years I’ve learned that those two words do not automatically go together. With media images of ultra-thin (or size zero) celebrities setting the trend, it’s hard to remember that your health and well-being are about more than being a particular trouser/dress size. Try focusing more on how you feel rather than what the scale says.
By focusing on being fit and feeling healthy – keeping your age in mind – you’ll be better equipped to hit your ideal weight. Be realistic when choosing your role model. My role model is my 70-year-old mother who does yoga thrice a week and strength training and cardio twice a week. You want to look ahead of you, not behind you. Remember that if you are routinely physically active and overweight, you are still less likely to suffer heart problems than your normal-weight counterparts who don’t exercise. And conversely, normal-weight individuals who don’t exercise are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Rule #3: Make friends with food Losing weight should not mean eating bland, flavourless and a meagre quantity of food. And it definitely should not entail being hungry all the time. Think about food as nourishment, and make it as delicious as possible. In fact, if you do it right, you can eat just as much, if not more than before. I’m a big believer in eating great food, but it’s also about caloric density. If you take in fewer calories, those calories should be much larger portions. For example, if you absolutely have to eat your fish curry, make it with the same ingredients, but use less coconut and eat more of the fish and less of the curry. You’ll consume fewer overall calories, but more food, and still feel satisfied. Also stack your plate with more vegetables at mealtimes. They are high in fibre and assist in making you feel full. Try baking a whole bunch of different vegetables (sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, eggplant, mushroom, onion, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, etc) in the oven (at 220 degrees centigrade for 35 minutes) with olive oil, salt and pepper and watch your taste buds come alive with the different flavours of the vegetables. When we feel satisfied, our brain sends signals to our stomach that we are full and we stop eating. Rule #4: Start small and build slowly One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is going to extremes. Be aware of how physically fit you are and respect your limits. With this in mind, start at a basic
level and build slowly. For example, if you have finally resolved to be fit or shed those extra kilos, start first with walking regularly three times a week; then slowly increase the walks to five times per week. Once you are comfortable with that, add some incline – a hill to your walk. Then concentrate on increasing your walking pace and finally think about stepping into a gym. At the gym, start with lower impact and then move on to higher-impact exercises once you have built your strength. People don’t know how to get started. Instead of starting slow, they will join an intense weight-loss programme at a gym,
injure themselves and go back to square one. So starting low-impact and building up slowly and carefully is the key with exercise. Rule #5: Concentrate on commitment more than intensity You don’t have to spend endless hours at the gym to become healthier, but a commitment to an exercise regimen is essential. When I’m talking to prospective gym members, the only thing I want from them is commitment. I want them to pencil in one hour every day on their calendars to exercise at the gym. I don’t think you need a gym if you are selfmotivated and dedicated to do it on your own. But being a member of a gym holds you accountable to show up there every day or at least most days
of the week. The worst thing you can do is pay for a gym membership and not show up. This will not do you or your wallet any good. We seem to schedule everything in our lives – lunches, dinners, parties, concerts – but not our exercise time. Rule #6: Stop obsessing about your weight The fastest way to misery is to obsess over dieting and weight loss. It’s not only bad for your self-esteem, but it will sabotage your weight-loss efforts too. The worst thing you can do for yourself is to weigh yourself regularly. Don’t go by the numbers on the scale.
Go by the way you feel and the way your clothes feel on you. Weight loss is not the only indicator (and definitely not the best indicator) that your exercise programme is working for you. There are other more relevant indicators such as more muscle mass, lower body fat, a toned body, greater energy levels, glowing skin and an overall good feeling. There is a huge correlation between stress and the body – you store fat when you’re stressed. With this in mind, focus on long-term goals rather than micro-managing your life and the numbers in it. Health is not a 60-day or a 90-day thing. It’s not a six-month or an annual membership at the gym. Live by these six golden rules, use what you already know and do it every day. Success will follow. n 26 SEPTEMBER 2011 23
GUEST COLUMN
MoreWine Please?
JAY BHIKHA is the country head of World Wines and Spirits, a Goa-based company that offers wine labels from across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, California and South Africa
A red wine with fish or seafood? A white with meat? Certain flavours mix better than others, but the rules for wine and food pairing can be a daunting task for restaurateurs or hoteliers. Take your pick from wine appreciation courses to awareness meetings – get educated! 25 24
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t was until relatively recently, with the Portuguese influence, that wine was drunk regularly and there was a vibrant culture associated with it. The wine drunk then was usually very dry red and full bodied, or if white a fairly dry wine. Wine culture was then steeped in certain sections of the community. With the departure of the Portuguese, it seemed the wine culture followed and the much-loved ritual of wine with food and a beverage enjoyed with company all but disappeared. There has been some debate over this dwindling ritual. Some blame the manufacturers for taking wine to a different level, with the departure from still wines to sweet port style ones. Today, port appears to be the staple wine of Goa. A pretty unfair assessment I think. Around the globe, wine culture is growing by giant sips and swirls. There has been enormous change and many trends have been created and continue to develop. There is a bun fight among the ‘Old World Wine’ producers and the dynamic influence of the ‘New World’. Global wine consumption has also risen as it is considered a healthy and stylish beverage. The wine palate now seeks unbridled experimentation. Wine lists round the world are now bigger and better than ever before and crowded with choices. While this can 26
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be a competitive minefield for producers, consumers are spoilt for choice. But paradoxically a big wine list attracts a bigger sale, so everybody has a share. Political influence can be crucial, but if anything has helped to bring wine back to our dinner table. Since 2001 Maharashtra has encouraged local production via various financial incentives and a new industry has been spawned. With the negative high duty imposed on imports, local vineyards have thrived and captured over 90 per cent of the wine market in India. But consumers have also become more discerning and demanding as they travel round the globe and taste a growing bouquet of flavours and tastes. They realise that we have some serious catching up to do. Wines are unlike beer or other alcoholic beverages, where you tend to stick to your favourite tipple. If you like Kingfisher then you will tend to drink just that at every opportunity. Wine of course is altogether different and your choice depends on so many factors – your mood, the weather, the company, the accompanying food, and of course the price. I have made it my business to ask people I meet about their personal wine experiences. I get a mixed bag of answers, but one that surfaces is that it is not a banned item and seems to feature fairly regularly at dining tables and more so on festive occasions. Most people have tried it at some point or the other. But sadly, some of the three-star plus establishments I have visited have no wine of any description. And the few that do, offer very little choice. In a restaurant setting, the wine has to be hand-selected to match and complement the food menu. Instead you see a full-bodied Red Cabernet or a wooded Chardonnay and you know that is never going to work with your curry or spicy foods. So where is the Riesling, Viogner, Chenin or indeed Sauvignon Blanc? Where is the Shiraz or soft Merlot? That’s when we hit a roadblock, as owners need some guidance to menu planning and selections.
When food and wine match perfectly, you come closer to achieving nirvana, to a blissful bond between body and spirit. But to achieve the perfect blend, it is clear that some education is required. There is no dearth of choices, as wine makers and importers continue to extend the array of choices for potential consumers. With this in mind World Wines and Spirits was developed to offer free appreciation courses and organise wine awareness meetings where the staff interact with an expert and learn about wine and the etiquette of wine selling in restaurants. So if you are interested in this sociable little tipple, we would be happy to extend your knowledge. All you have to do is contact your distributor and if they are on our list we will be happy to arrange a meeting. n
FIRST LADY Featuring eminent women of Goa
‘Activism Runs in My Blood’ Born to parents who were involved in the freedom movement, actor, psychiatrist and activist Dr MEENACSHI MARTINS-SHUKLA has always kept her fighting spirit alive
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quiet life is what she craves and though she gets it in her home in lush Salvador do Mundo with her husband Anurag Shukla and 20-year-old twins, Ashwin and Ameya, Meenacshi Martins’ life has been all but quiet. A psychiatrist for the past 25 years and dabbling with acting for the past 30, she has certainly carved a niche for herself. And as she puts it, “activism runs in my blood”. Martins has strived to help people live a life worth living. Working closely with women and children, she has been a member of the Goa State Commission for Women and is currently on the Bench of Magistrates for Child Welfare for North and South Goa, joint secretary of the Goa Psychiatric Society and a member of the Education Committee of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Through her Institute for Emotional and Social Wellness, Education and Research (IESWER), she aims to help and guide people in the right way with her expertise. Being a part of the successful film ‘O Maria’, Martins has made the theme of the movie a part of her activism in sorting out ancestral land issues and is an active member of Goa People’s Forum looking at anti-corruption issues in the state. 28
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Pic by Edric George
Martins speaks to Viva Goa about her fight for human rights and love for acting You have played varied roles in your life: medicine, acting and activism. How do you manage to balance it all? Each role comfortably flows into the other. I prioritise and concentrate on what’s important for that time and then I give a hundred percent to what I do. What was it like to have your parents involved in the freedom movement? Do you think you inherited the activism streak from them? Dr Jose Fransisco Martins and Dr Esmina Gomes have left a legacy that is difficult to fill. Honesty, integrity, uprightness are not easy to uphold in today’s world. As a child there were impossible standards, but today, I understand and respect that. On the upside, I got to share space with real life heroes, legends of our land. Yes, activism runs in my blood. You began as an activist very young, as a Youth Congress member. Tell us something about your involvement and how it came about? My elders encouraged me to participate in good deeds related to education and health around the village while I studied in the Government Primary School at Paithan, Serula. Later I was nominated as honorary secretary to the Indian Red Cross Society, Goa State Branch and immediately next year was a part of the team that founded the first ever drug abuse-related initiative. Around the same time there was the student’s union and the Konkani movement that I got involved with. Getting to be a part of Youth Congress back then was by default though I was born into the family. Psychological issues in Goa have been brushed under the carpet for a long time. Do you think this scenario is changing now? With the advent of the new national Five Year Plan, I hope it does. Despite a larger psychiatrist-population ratio, the awareness is still wanting. The stigma is all-powering.
The youth require special attention in terms of prevention as well as early identification of illnesses. Further, their treatment and social reintegration is lacking as well. It’s a challenge. Goa has good psychiatrists, dedicated and true to their profession.
population increasing, Goa is going to change. This change has to be planned. Irregularities need to be curbed and the corrupt brought to account. Most of the laws in place have no mechanism for proper implementation; that needs to be sorted out.
With the change in lifestyle and the cosmopolitan life creeping in today’s Goan households, do you think the psychological issues have also risen? It is a possibility that many of the issues are lifestyle related. Several of the problems are materialism related as well. The gap between wants and the ground reality is disturbing. Also it is disturbing to see what youth can do to get what they want. The values are different. It’s instant gratification of needs that is the issue, besides poor emotional intelligence and lack of a spiritual essence.
Can you tell us something about your own personal interests and activities beyond your home? I am very involved with my family. I have two sons who are just twenty and they need me around. I am also taking keen interest in sorting out ancestral land issues. Generation next will not understand Portuguese laws or documentation. I have an organisation called the Institute for Emotional and Social Wellness, Education and Research (IESWER). We have proposed necessary changes related to land to the government. I am collecting more data regarding fraud and land grabbing methods used by big enterprises. I also work on women and children’s rights issues and mental health.
How did acting come about, considering the fact that you were a medical student? I began acting in my village plays when I was very little. Goan villages have a rich cultural tradition. From there getting into school plays was easy. Thereafter I acted for state competition plays for a few years and won the Best Actor awards for the states of Goa and Maharashtra for four Marathi plays. Acting is a passion which I made into a career. I’ve worked in several television series and some films, while I lived in Mumbai. I love acting, it comes naturally to me. I enjoy playing different characters. Where do you think Konkani cinema is heading? So far, so good. I’m proud to be part of the super hit movie ‘O Maria’. The response was unexpected and I am humbled. A 29-week run in two multiplexes is a record for a Konkani film. Talented youngsters are getting involved in the making of movies in Goa. ESG too is encouraging film making and lending a helping hand to beginners. What do you love most about Goa and where do you see it heading? I love everything about Goa, it’s my home. I am a pragmatist. With the
How do you strike a balance between the demands of your home and your own professional or personal interests? I take a lot of ‘me’ time. I meditate, do gardening, watch TV and films with my sons. I don’t overdo things. I am careful not to burden myself. On occasion, I am my first priority! I wake up early and meditate for about an hour or two. I sit on the Bench of Magistrates three days a week and am on call 24x7. I see patients only on Mondays and Fridays in the evening by appointment only. Late evenings are strictly family time. Do you think women suffer gender bias, even in progressive Goa? I believe that women are different from men and we as women have to uphold that and be proud of who we are and what we are capable of achieving. Having said that, Indiais a patriarchal society, here gender bias is present whether one likes it or not. Thankfully, we have laws in place in Goa, unlike the rest of the country, that protect our interests. I am grateful to the Portuguese family laws that are not that gender biased. Society, however, needs to catch up. n SEPTEMBER 2011 29
Good Health
HEALTH
A regular column on healthy living
Begins At
Dr DIGAMBAR NAIK is an MD in General Medicine and Therapeutics from Bombay University. A cardiologist, he is the managing director of Vrundavan Hospital & Research Centre Pvt Ltd
Home
A guide towards keeping your home disease free
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hatayushi Bhava,’ my friends greeted me on my 50th birthday. That little wish seems so true today. As medical science advances, the average life span continues to grow all over the world and it will not be long before we live to a hundred years of active life. This is so well described in our Vedas, where a man’s life span is divided into four stages: Brahmacharyashrman, Grihastashram, Vanprasthashram and Sanyasshashram, each of 25 years. I would strongly suggest that if we die before we turn 100, we are entirely to blame. Living beyond a hundred years is God’s wish. But to live life completely and happily we need to be alert and active throughout our lives. Healthy living begins at our doorstep. Our homes should be the most secure place for all of us. A few simple precautions can take care of this. The cleanliness of our home and environment is the first mantra of good health. Heaps of dirt and garbage can produce a number of diseases. Water-logging around some of this waste material is a breeding ground for mosquitoes that infect us with diseases like malaria, filaria and dengue fever. 30
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Source: www.wordpress.com
The monsoon is one season when a number of killer and debilitating diseases surface. Dysentery, viral fever, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, typhoid fever and other infections
block our smooth passage through life. Dengue, malaria and leptospirosis, which are on the rise, are life threatening. The simple chikugunya virus can debilitate
Source: www.zazzle.com
us for months together. Can we not prevent all these with good personal and environmental hygiene, healthy food and careful living? Small leakages in the house lead to fungus growth all over. A host of allergic and respiratory problems are common when we dust or paint our homes without using masks. Nets on windows or above beds are superior to all kinds of mosquito repellents. Let us keep safety in mind when selecting or building a house. Have proper railings, furniture and other equipment in the right and safe place, especially keeping in mind the needs of children and the elderly. Your home is where you spend most
of your time resting, dreaming and planning your life. Build or select your home well. Keep it clean and fill it with the right colour, music and general environment. After all, good health begins at home. Goa has a history of 450 years of Portuguese rule where hygiene was adhered to and given a great deal of importance. Our state had the first medical school in Asia. Besides being small and well managed, it tops the country in all health parameters. Let us keep it that way. We have the capability to raise the bar to banish all contagious and infective diseases and prevent lifestyle-induced diseases too. Our health expenses, both in the public and private sectors, are very high. All we need is to spread the knowledge and parameters of perfect health to all the 15 lakh people of Goa. n
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Build or select your home well. Keep it clean and fill it with the right colour, music and general environment. After all, good health begins at home
SEPTEMBER 2011
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32
LEISURE BOATING
Goa Gears Up For 3rd
International Boat Show
A fleet of visitors, and companies dealing in leisure, boats and yachts are expected to make a beeline for the Goa International Marine & Boat Expo 2011 in Panaji from December 15 to 18
A
s the government tries to galvanise tourism towards the hinterland, leisure boating has slowly and steadily gathered pace not only among Goans but also tourists. The Goa International Marine & Boat Expo, supported by the government of Goa, is gearing up for the rise in guests expected at its third show this year. As elite tourism begins to descend on Goa for the most sought-after week in the year, organisers Media Promotions Ltd are looking forward to hosting a number of multi-national firms for the event, slated to be held from December 15 to 18 at Kala Academy, Panaji, Goa. César Menezes, all-India president of Board Sailing Association of India and head of Goa Yatching Association, says, “Goa is blessed with a wonderful coastline fringed with some of the best beaches in the world and hospitable people. This tropical paradise is poised to become India’s leisure boating capital. We are sure that The Goa International Marine and Boat Expo will attract exhibitors from around the globe besides India to reap great benefits from the emerging market of the boating business in India.” Inland waterways criss-cross the state, the perfect maze for jet skis, kayaks, speed boats and catamarans to lend traffic to the otherwise quiet backwaters. The show puts on display a wide range of leisure boating products and yachts from luxury firms and expects the participation of world renowned brands including Acr Dock, Airberth, Arshea Marine Concepts, Aquarius Fibreglas, Bayliner, Chinkara
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Marine, Dan Fenders, Eclipse Kites, Edgewaker, Fairline, Ferretti, Feelfree Kayaks, Gill, Grand Soleil, Harris, Holt, Jeanneau, Kaiyan, Kawasaki, Litmus Marine, Marinetek, Majesty, Marlow, Mercury Marine, Mercury Inflatables, Meridian Yachts, Monterey, Nautitech, Novurania, Oryx, Ocean Yachts, Peterlynn Kites, Praga Marine, Prestige, Regal, Silver Craft, Sea Ray, Sea Royal, Sessa Marine, Sea Scan Marine, S S Marine, Sun Marine, Viking Yachts, Walkerbay, Water Wish and Yamaha. As an international event destination and an ideal spot for a relaxing vacation over Christmas and New Year, Goa could do with some pretty sails dotting the seascape. Last year’s boat show witnessed an exclusive on-water display which included India’s first 40-foot sailing Leopard catamaran from Cape Town in South Africa brought in by Aquasail, the Majesty 44 Motor Yacht and Viking 57 Sports Fishing Yacht from West Coast Marine and a floating cottage by Arshea Marine Concepts. Neil Marine too gave the boat show another first, when it put the Battuta on its debut display in India. The craft was brought to the country by Marine Solutions. The Goa International Marine & Boat Expo 2011 is being planned not just as a boat show, but also as a world-class networking hub, where quality enthusiast buyers and marine-driven suppliers can connect and learn more about each other’s requirements and desires. Other visitors expected to descend on the expo include professionals associated with the marine and boat industry,
high-end tourists enamoured by sailing, management staff of seven-star deluxe and five-star resorts, as well as high-end and budget hotels, boat charter operators and agents, heads of Goa government departments and state port and maritime authorities, media professionals connected with the maritime industry and high net-worth individuals from Goa and other parts of the country. With more than 40 beachfront luxury resorts and an equal number under construction the need for regulated boating is ever increasing. However, these issues are minor when compared to the joys of sailing and the boat show has witnessed record sales and happy participants after just two years. With its great location at Kala Academy in Panaji, which provides a jetty adjoining the exhibition ground for cheek-by-jowl land and water displays, the Goa International Marine & Boat Expo 2011 is looking forward to welcoming its guests, some of whom might get a chance to ride on a luxury yacht. www.goamarineboatexpo.com n
VILLAGE LORE
PANTALEAO FERNANDES is an engineer by profession as well as an accomplished photographer and compulsive traveller around Goa
Where Crosses Keep Temples Company
CUMBARJUA, where crocodiles were introduced as a means of defence and where ghostly ‘paulists’ patrol the streets at night, is a village steeped in folklore
O
ne would expect a jua (island) named after the cumbhars (potters) – Cumbarjua – to be a hub of the potters’ wheel. But inquiries with village elders reveal that not a single potter is currently involved in the traditional craft of moulding clay. Yet artistic blood still runs in the veins of its sons as is evident in the display of creativity during Ganesh Chaturthi. Cumbarjua, a landmass of 24,01,550 sq mts surrounded by rivulets and a canal, is located in Tiswadi taluka and connected to Gandaulim by a ferry service and by bridge to Marcela. Thankfully, the jua still bears a quaint look with old houses, though some of the really ancient ones are crumbling. 38
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A grand old palatial house belonging to the Sardessai family still stands thanks to its current owner Anand Sardessai, who stays next to his ancestral house and keeps the flame in the devakudd alive. Due to his daily visits to the house, it is still habitable and the entire family gathers to celebrate the Ganesh festival. The traditional kitchen, with its grinding stones of different sizes, the firewood hearth and wooden measures comes alive during the festival. The Sardessai house is historical. Nagoji Sardessai, great-greatgrandfather of Anand and a landlord of Cumbarjua, was presented with an award consisting of a book, a monthly remuneration and a belt called peti
pardahe, which he had to wear for any official meeting with Portuguese officials. Nagoji’s son Lakhaba’s portrait in the peti pardahe decorates the walls of the old edifice. The house also has a collection of ancient swords, metal lathis and lances used for defence against the raiding Ranes. The main door still bears testimony to these rather frequent attacks. One of the waterways that bounds Cumbarjua is the man-made canal which links the two major rivers of Goa, the Mandovi and the Zuari. The Cumbarjua Canal is the abode of the marsh crocodile which has the ability to withstand saline waters. These crocodiles are believed to have been
introduced into the canal by the Portuguese to prevent the Muslim rulers from swimming across and invading their territory. Today, they attract wildlife lovers from across the world who watch them in their natural environs. The canal is also a bird watcher’s paradise, home to a large number of endemic and migratory bird species. The village does not have a single church and the minuscule Catholic population crosses the ferry to attend Sunday services at the Sao Bras church at Gandaulim. Naturally, temples outnumber the few chapels that exist at Cumbarjua. However, what is interesting to note is that there are crosses erected at almost every corner. This mystery was solved by Sardessai who revealed that nearly the entire village belonged to a Portuguese national named Thomas, who had all the crosses erected. The St Francis Xavier Chapel is the biggest. The procession of Kanteancho Dev – an image of Christ carrying the cross adorned with the crown of thorns – is taken out of this chapel during the season of Lent. Sardessai reveals that in earlier times he would provide bamboos and poles used to erect arches for the procession free of cost. Small structures called discanse would also be erected near all the crosses
where the procession paused. As a mark of appreciation and respect, a discanse would also be erected in front of the Sardessai house and in turn they would light up the path with a bright petromax. A small bell would be rung and an offering of flowers given to the Sardessai home. The many temples in Cumbarjua include the Maruti temple at Surchambhat, the Vithal Rakhumai temple at Talapwada, the Ram Mandir
at Rambhuvan Vadda, the Tapneshwar temple at Tapanwada at Gavant, the Sai Baba temple at Takwada, the Mahadev temple at Golwada and the Ganapati Temple at Khadelwada. At Talapwade there is a pavilion which is completely empty. However, every Wednesday and Sunday it is lit with candles in honour of a rakandar (guardian deity) whom the locals call the ‘paulist’. Villagers swear that on Sunday and Wednesday nights they
Ganesh chitra near Tapneshwar temple
Sangodd in Cumbarjua
SEPTEMBER 2011 39
A village path alongside a traditional house
can hear the paulist patrol the village, evident by the thumping of his stout cane on the ground. Those who claim to have set eyes on the deity report him as a tall, hefty and dark personality. Every year before the Hindu New Year Gudi Padva, the village deity Goddess Shantadurga retraces her steps to the village using the same route and mode she took from the village due to Portuguese persecution to the safety of Marcela. The goddess leaves from Marcela in a canoe via the river and brought to Talapwada, Cumbarjua from where she is carried in a palki procession to a shrine specially erected in the nearby fields from where she had been originally taken. For one week or so, cultural and devotional activities are staged here. On Gudi Padva, she begins her yearly visit to each and every Hindu household in the village. These visits take about twenty-five days to complete after which she returns to Marcela using the same river route. Though a small village, Cumbarjua attracts huge crowds due to the artistic chitras (tableau) put up by the village youth during Ganesh Chaturthi. One of the popular ones is erected by Pradeep Parab of Rambhuvan vaddo. Another attraction is a chitra erected in a rivulet flowing by the Tapneshwar Temple in the Gavant Vado. This requires special skills as the whole chitra is surrounded by water. The seventh day of Chaturti too attracts hoards of people to Cumbarjua for a unique show in the canal. Lord Ganesh, installed by the Shantadurga Cumbharjuakarin temple at Marcela, is taken for immersion by the villagers in a sangodd (canoes lashed together by rope). It also carries characters from Hindu mythology and a Brahmin carrying a sword. The sangodd is accompanied by many others created by locals who put in their best efforts to win the annual competition. This whole flotilla is nicknamed ‘The Cumbharjua Sangodd’ and attracts throngs of visitors who gather on the banks of the canal and the bridge. Cumbarjua is indeed a multi-dimensional village imbued by a spirit of brotherhood, hoary legends, festivity—and crocodiles. n
The chapel of St Francis Xavier in Talapwada
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INTERIORS/ EXTERIORS
Bringing Simplicity into FOCUS
An alumnus of the Goa College of Architecture, Arch SIDDHA D SARDESSAI casts an expert eye every month on distinctive and contemporary houses of Goa
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With clean lines and flowing space, the home of TATA and GANDHA THAKUR in Altinho allows the family to connect with nature and a sense of visual openness
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n irregularly shaped plot situated on a sloping site makes you wonder what could eventually be built on such a piece of land. Similar thoughts were echoed by Gandha Thakur when she first decided to build on this site. She says, “I wondered if at all even one room could be built up on this land.” But architect Rahul Deshpande took up the challenge and designed a beautiful bungalow that not only radiates a visual impression of space but also offers a connect with the outdoors. The exterior of the building at the lower level is clad in rough grey slate. Not only does the stone add richness to the façade, the geometric pattern of the cavity boxes projecting out in white lends it a cool, contemporary touch.
Tata and Gandha Thakur Pics by Edric George
SEPTEMBER 2011 45
The living room
The flavour of the design is Zen in nature, with spaces harmoniously blending with the surrounding landscape. Soaking in the rich look of the façade as one steps in one cannot help but notice the driveway and a covered car porch beside a landscaped garden. The greenery lends a soothing touch to the exterior. “Less is More” – that seems to be the fundamental design principle for Deshpande. He says, “I believe in exploiting natural elements like light and breeze to the maximum. Wall décor is not essential if there is an involvement of nature. We used plenty of glass to capture the beautiful view and for that feel of space.” As you enter the house, chic and understated modern interiors welcome you into an uncluttered and straight-lined abode open to the 46
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warmth of the heart as much as to the dynamics of entertaining. An interesting feature in the house is the openness of the spaces where the foyer area takes the form of a double-height ceiling and seems to frame the entire structure. The interiors are open to the outside through large openings and at the same time allow natural light to stream in. Cream-coloured urns and planters accentuate the appeal. As for the rest of the colour scheme, it has been kept neutral except for dashes of brown. A conscious choice of colours such as beige, brown and white as also the Crema Marfil marble and the Jaisalmer flooring used throughout the residence play a crucial role in achieving the idea of space. Moving on, a step higher is the living room in chaste white, reflecting harmony. The living area is
characterised by large windows which not only enhance the idea of space but also allow natural light to filter in. In addition, they capture the essence of nature as one can enjoy a magnificent view of the Mandovi River and Panaji city. The seating is casual diwan, adding character to the place. With a proper amalgamation of local materials, the interiors are kept minimal and the furniture simple, thus creating a perfect ambiance. Architect Reshma Sukhthankar has designed the interiors of this residence, taking “simple living” to a different plane altogether. The smart use of a portal frame aesthetically divides the living from the dining area. The dining area is a small and unique set-up well integrated into the design and opens onto a large deck and then merges with the greens.
The family wanted a sideboard to serve the food and a basin. A black stone sideboard and a glass basin along with the glass units and wall claddings add to the lightness of the space. Curtains in sheer fabric accentuate the space. Gandha wanted a functional and maintenance-free kitchen, thus the focus space and storage. The colours used in the kitchen are aqua-green and white with shades of wood. Explains Sukhthankar, “I had to incorporate varied design elements while designing this residence. So limiting it to a particular theme wouldn’t have justified the concept.” The upper level of the residence houses the master bedroom and the daughter’s room along with a mandir. The master bedroom sports a serene look with large clear glass openings in the form of windows ushering in natural light. This irregularly shaped bedroom makes proper use of the spaces and nicely tucks in a dresser and a writing desk within a corner niche. The daughter’s room is in greens and a timber shade. One of the attractions is the headboard of the bed that acts as a night-lamp with concealed lights that focus onto the wall behind, giving it a heightened effect. Another interesting feature of the design is that although there is sense of visual openness, the privacy of each space is maintained while subtly slipping in sophisticated fixtures and stylish features. On the whole, the onus of the design lies in individual textural qualities that seem to lend a definition to form and colour, amidst a clean-lined interior where the emphasis is on the understated. n
A bedroom
I chose this site as it would get an unobstructed view of the Mandovi River. But, the site was trapezoid, elevated and a designers nightmare. The brief was that every habitable room had to have a view. I decided to work with its so-called handicaps as my assets. Surprisingly, the design evolved with the site and the design, mutually complimenting and respecting each other
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Architect Rahul Deshpande
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The dining room
SEPTEMBER 2011 47
A Winning
HOSPITALITY A column which reviews the best hotels in Goa
Debut:
GODWIN HOTELS e
r – Th Facto ool and X s t I ng p
mi swim ens rd a g its
SINEAD McMANUS has lived and worked in Goa for the last six years. Her job entails travelling extensively around India, promoting the country to the British/American Travel Trade and to the independent traveller
S
The e Spa
me –
co till to
o Tre
Mang
An invitation to indulge, the recently opened Godwin Hotels in the heart of Candolim has plenty on offer
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G
odwin Hotels, a chain of luxury hotels in India with locations between Haridwar and Rishikesh and soon in Meerut, has launched a new and exciting property in Goa just over four months ago. Builders by profession, the group has two managing directors, brothers Bhupinder Singh and Jitender Singh Bajwa. The general manager of the hospitality division M D Rajan and operations manager Ashish Kaushal look after the Goa property. The hotel is easy to locate in Candolim and we were welcomed into the busy reception area where staff and guests cheerfully mingled. As we waited for the final touches to be applied to our room, we were just in time for the buffet lunch. Godwin Hotels has a choice of dining options with a few outlets still to open. At the lobby level, we enjoyed Golden Glory, a worthy and luxurious restaurant which treats its guests to a delicious ambience. It offers family-style dinners and customised meals in addition to classic dishes. The Maritime Lounge and Bar is a comfortable lounging place which has been interestingly designed and keeps in mind Goa’s alluring seascapes. It also offers private spaces where you can relax in a club atmosphere, enjoy groovy tracks and sip on imported wines, spirits and some rare and
unusual brews. As it was a long holiday weekend, the hotel was fully booked, so we didn’t have much of an option on the choice of accommodation. But as it transpired, this wasn’t a problem as the Executive Room left us spellbound with its luxury with its tastefully designed interiors and modern comforts. With two other classes of room on offer, the Premier Room is more opulent with its traditional beauty and tasteful interiors thoughtfully chosen. At another level, the Royal Suite has been designed and furnished with careful attention to detail and exhibits a distinctive charm. Spacious with well-cushioned, comfortable beds, a sizeable writing desk, a flat-screen television and wooden flooring, the suite is luxury personified. With the sun peering out through the monsoon skies, the Leisure Seashore – the swimming pool – became my favourite hangout. While a leisurely swim dip was a great way to feel energised, my travelling companion enjoyed the shades of the tropical greenery that surrounded us. The Godwin Goa is a new and exciting hotel where one can break free from the shackles of a hectic and mundane routine. With its warm ambience and modern comforts, it offers a range of facilities and services to help you unwind and relax. n
The Maritime Lounge and Bar is a comfortable lounging place which has been interestingly designed and keeps in mind Goa’s alluring seascapes. It also offers private spaces where you can relax, enjoy groovy tracks and sip on imported wines, spirits and rare brews
SEPTEMBER 2011 49
COUTURE
On what’s haute in the world of fashion in Goa
WENDELL mesmerises at LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK, MUMBAI C
ling film and acrylic icicles rubbed shoulders with chiffons and silks at the final collection of the fourth day of Lakmé Fashion Week. Fashion guru Wendell Rodricks showcased innovative cuts with detailed construction in four sequences – Mountain Brooks and Sparkling Water, Naturally Yours, Indian Water and Raani Pink Carpet Glam. The ace designer once again brought Goa into his collection by opening the show with a blue bodice made by youth from Colvale who sculpt narkasuras. The giant snowflakes, made by Waylon D’Souza from Porvorim, hung along the ramp – mute spectators to the concoction of creativity below. Wendell twisted his typical minimalistic style with sequins to bring out the hidden inspiration of water in his show, presented by Lakmé Fashion Week’s official water partner Himalayan Natural Mineral Water. The Naturally Yours sequence was marked by linen and organza dyed in organic natural dyes of yellows, woods and whites in the form of tunics, dresses and cover shifts. Silks with sheen and flowing fabrics with curled hems, layering, tiering and sunray pleats made the second sequence Indian Water stand out. Mountain Brooks with Sparkling Water flowed in asymmetric sleeves, ponchos, gowns and saris, while uber chic kaftans and saris embellished with sequinned edges, hems and laser-cut acrylic water drops were the theme of the Raani Pink Carpet Glam sequence. n 50
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SEPTEMBER 2011 51
WELLNESS
A regular column featuring the great spas of Goa
PARINEETA SETHI is the Publisher and Editor-in-chief of ‘AsiaSpa India’. She is an authority on spas and has closely followed the spa culture in Goa
52
Balancing Body And Mind Drawing inspiration from the calmness and tranquillity of the Arabian Sea, the recently-opened QUAN SPA at GOA MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA is all about transformation and creation of a new feeling of wellbeing
SEPTEMBER 2011
fitness centre (gymnasium) and a Kids Club as part of the recreational facilities. Perfectly complimenting the serenity of sea and nature, the sensorial ambience of the spa invigorates the senses and calms the mind. Natural materials have been used wherever possible and the colours are neutral and sublime. Fabrics have subtle floral or leaf patterns and texture to give a natural feel. A combination of light and dark timber has been used throughout the spa, with natural stone counters and ceramic tiles in off-white and neutral tones. The spa boasts of eight therapists who are certified in Thalgo La Beaute Marine - France and have been trained in all western, oriental and Indian therapies. Its all-embracing spa menu has five categories of therapies – bath, massage therapies, elemental massages, body therapy and face therapy. The signature massage – ‘Goan Magic’ – combines the Western and Indian methodologies to give you the best of both the worlds. With long loopy movements, the masseur expertly channels toxins and other harmful elements out of the body. The smooth application of a hot herbal compress and oil helps you attain the state of wellbeing. n
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Goan Magic is the signature service of Quan, Goa. It includes Western and Indian methodologies come together to synthesise this signature spa massage
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I
t is not just the name that is derived from the richness of water, Quan Spa helps you discover a new you with its myriad rejuvenating treatments. Quan, a Chinese word that literally means ‘a source of pure water’, represents a spa that seeks to provide a path to wholeness and well-being, while embracing the time-honoured healing practices of its local culture. An oasis of peace and pampering by the beach, it has five treatment rooms – four individual treatment rooms and one couple suite with a bath tub. The theme of five great elements – earth (ira), water (jal), air (vayu), fire (tejas) and sky (akash) – is predominant in the décor of the spa and the five treatment rooms are also named after these elements. Taking maximum care and comfort for the guests, all the rooms have a relaxing sofa, shower cubicle and rest rooms. There is also provision to create positive energy in the treatment rooms by having Tibetan singing bowls and raw crystals placed in strategic locations. Elemental based unique music for each treatment room and the relaxation lounge are the other signature features. The spa also has a steam room, chilled showers and a Jacuzzi; a brand new
- Dr Arun K Tomson Director of Quan Spa
SEPTEMBER 2011 53
HOMING IN A regular column by people who have made Goa their home
Moving to Goa has brought sunshine into the lives of Jamaican-born Briton, fitness instructor RAHIM BERNARD and his family 25 56
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‘Goa has Given Us Time’
I
n 2003 we were on our way to Dubai for a vacation when the Gulf war broke out. A friend suggested that we head to Goa. We took his advice and loved the place instantly with all its quirks and encompassing warmth.
For a while we did nothing in Goa, just enjoying the beaches, restaurants and weather. Then we both needed something to do. After leaving my job at Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin and closing my construction company back home, it was time to do something constructive. I started training with the Goa Taek Kwon Do Association, during which time I met Aldrine Basilio, who was into the martial arts too. So we got talking about our vision of martial arts and fitness in Goa. We decided to start Taek Kwon Do and kickboxing at his gym in St Inez. Initially there were no students to teach. Now it is doing really well. A year later, Aldrine and I started kick aerobics and kickboxing which is taught by a qualified international instructor, which no other gym in Goa can boast of. Goa has been great for us. It has given us time, something we could not get back in the UK, something precious that most people in Europe find missing from their lives. Life is good in Goa and we continue to enjoy it. Overall, despite the unnerving roads and apparent chaos we see, it is mostly picturesque and peaceful, so finding those moments of joy and beauty in the human as well as in the environment is not hard or rare. We have had the opportunity to travel around Goa, and there are some great little hideaways throughout the state, if only people would just allow themselves to explore a little. n
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When we told people back in the UK that we were taking the children and moving to Goa, most of them didn’t even know where Goa was
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Pic by Edric George
We went back to the UK and returned to have our third child in Goa as winter was approaching in the UK, and if you have been there in the winter, you would know why having a baby here was more appealing. Anyway, in January 2004, our third son was born. We stayed for about eight months and went back to the UK the second time. The third time we came to Goa was for medical reasons as two of our sons had eczema and in the UK this was only treatable with steroids. We were told to try Ayurveda, so we came back here and sought treatment in Saligao from the doctors at the Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre, who were really good to us. The oldest son’s treatment went really well and within three months he had no symptoms left and seven years later, still has none. The youngest son didn’t suffer in Goa but when we returned to the UK, he suffered as badly as before. We put up with it for more than a year-and-a-half before we decided neither he nor the family could take his pain any longer. So we returned to Goa. In the UK we feel like we are hibernating for many months a year due to the awful climate. As I am from Jamaica, Goa felt better with the sun and greenery, coconut trees, chickoos, mangoes, pineapple and tamarind. Only a few things are missing, the blue seas, white rum and dominoes. When we told people back in the UK that we were taking the children and moving to Goa, most of them didn’t even know where Goa was. When we said it was in India, they thought we needed to check into the nearest psychiatric unit. They also questioned our parental instincts. But my wife Bina and I are both strong-headed people, so we did as we intended and here we are, living and loving it in Goa. It has been a good decision for all of us. In fact, the same people questioning our judgment then, now wish they could do the same.
26 SEPTEMBER 2011 57
GOAN CUISINE
A monthly column offering the best of Goan food and drink
Chaturthi
Delicacies
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! On this festive occasion, I would like to share some vegetarian delicacies and a recipe of Lord Ganesha’s favourite Ukdiche Modak
Chef Deepa Mhambre Awchat originally from Mapusa, is the co-founder of ‘Culture Curry’, ‘Goa Portuguesa’ and ‘Diva Maharashtracha’, Mumbai’s popular, award-winning restaurants. The latter two are winners of the Times Food Guide Award 2011. She is also the author of ‘The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook’ deepaawchat@ goaportuguesa.com
Bhoplyachi ( ( Dudhi Shaak
(Fenugreek-Flavoured Pumpkin) Method
Ingredients Pumpkin, peeled and chopped into half-inch squares Fenugreek seeds Oil Mustard seeds Asafoetida Onion, chopped Green chillies, slit Grated coconut Pepper powder Sugar Salt to taste
(
4 cups / 600 gms ¼ tsp 3 tbsps ½ tsp 2 pinches 1 large 2 ½ cup ½ tsp ½ tsp
Manganem
Serves 6
(
to 8
Ingredients Split Bengal gram Sabudana (sago) Cashewnuts Pure ghee Coconut milk Grated jaggery Cardamom powder Salt to taste 25 58
SEPTEMBER 2011
1 cup / 250 gms 1 tbsp 20 1 tbsp 4 cups 1 cup ½ tsp
1 2 3 4 5 6
Heat the oil in a pan, add the mustard and fenugreek seeds and asafoetida. When the seeds begin to splutter, add the onion and green chillies and sauté until the onion changes colour. Add the chopped pumpkin and sauté for two minutes. Add one fourth cup of water and cook until the pumpkin is soft and the water evaporates. Add the grated coconut, pepper powder, sugar and salt and mix well. Serve hot with any Indian bread.
Method
1
Soak the split Bengal gram in water for 20 minutes. Cook for 20 minutes until soft and set aside. Soak the sago in one cup of water for 45 minutes. Soak the cashew nuts in water. Heat a pan, add the sago with the water and cook until transparent. Add the ghee, split Bengal gram and cashewnuts. Cook, stirring for two minutes. Add the coconut milk, jaggery and cardamom powder and cook over low heat until the mixture thickens slightly. Stir in salt to taste. Serve either hot or cold.
2 3 4 5
(Khatkhatem (
(Sweet Coconut Modak( (Either steamed or fried)
(Mixed Vegetable Curry)
Ingredients
s Serve
4
(All vegetables peeled and chopped) Yam ¼ cup Sweet potatoes ¼ cup Potatoes ¼ cup Yellow pumpkin ¼ cup Unripe banana ¼ cup White radish ¼ cup Unripe papaya ¼ cup Drumstick (only chopped) 1 Dried white peas, soaked ¼ cup Dried tefal berries (optional) 10 Grated coconut 1 cup Black peppercorns 12 Green chillies 4 Turmeric powder ¼ tsp Chilli powder 1 tsp Grated jaggery 2 tbsps Tamarind pulp 3 tbsps Rice flour 1 tsp Salt to taste
Method
1 2 3
Lightly crush the tefal and set aside.
Grind together the grated coconut, peppercorns and green chillies with half a cup of water to a smooth paste. Boil the vegetables and dried peas in a deep pan. Add turmeric and chilli powders, jaggery, tamarind pulp, rice flour and salt; and mix well. Add the coconut paste and tefal and one cup of water and bring to a boil. Remove emove from heat immediately and serve hot with any Indian bread.
4 5
Makes
Ingredients for stuffing Fresh grated coconut 2 ½ cups / 275 gms Sugar 1 cup / 240 gms Cashewnuts 20 White sesame 2 tsps / 10 gms Poppy seeds 2 tsps / 10 gms Milk 1 cup / 250 gms Cardamom powder 1 tbsp /10 gms Melted ghee 2 tbsps / 30 ml
Method for stuffing
1 2 3
Stir fry sesame and poppy seeds.
Soak cashewnuts in water and keep aside. Heat milk in a pan and reduce its content to half. Add sugar, coconut, sesame, poppy seeds, cardamom powder and cashewnuts. Add ghee to it and let it cook on medium flame until the sugar melts, the milk evaporates and the mixture thickens. Allow it to cool.
4
Method for Modak
1
Boil water. Add salt and ghee to it. Add rice flour and keep stirring until water evaporates and the batter thickens. Cool for five minutes. Knead the dough until it becomes soft without any lumps (if required add a teaspoon of melted ghee).
2
aks
12 mod
Ingredients for outer cover Rice flour 2 cups /300 gms Water 2 cups /500 ml Salt to taste Pure ghee, melted 2 tbsps / 30 ml
Make marble-size balls and keep aside. Take either a banana leaf or plastic sheet, apply a drop of oil to it and pat each ball of dough into a flat disc of about three inches in diameter. Place one tablespoon of coconut filling at the centre of it, and draw the ends together in the form of pleats to give a conical shape at the top. Join all the pleats by pressing it. Steam it for ten minutes. Serve hot.
3 4 5
In case of a ready-made mould, apply a drop of oil to your hands and line the inside walls of the mould too. Take a ball of dough and line the walls of the mould from all sides with your fingers. (The lining should be very thin and should cover the mould). Keep the mould in a closed form and place one tablespoon of coconut filling in it. Seal its base with a thin disc of dough
NOTE s are e berri Tefal tial for a essen nal Goan ir tio tradi cy for the ut if a , c r i ou b del e flav ave them v i t c distin ilable, le se any a u unav You can etables . t veg ou er of dish b m is nu for th
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BIZ NOTES
BMW X3 launched in India
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MW has launched its X3 in two diesel variants across the country, BMW X3 xDrive20d and BMW X3 xDrive30d. It will be CKD produced (Completely Knocked Down) at the BMW plant in Chennai and can be ordered at BMW dealerships across the country. Dr Andreas Schaaf, president of BMW India said, “The first-generation BMW X3 was the pioneer in its segment. We are confident that the second generation BMW X3 will inherit the position of its predecessor as the benchmark and will strengthen it further. The launch of the new BMW X3 is a significant milestone in our growth strategy in India and will beyond doubt accelerate the luxurious and dynamic characteristic of the brand.” Added Vishal Agarwal, managing director of Bavaria Motors, BMW dealers for Goa and Pune, “The new X3 is on display in our Goa showroom. As Goa is a SUV-loving market, we expect a very good response for this car. The pricing is very aggressive and the new X3 is a very big and attractive car. I expect us
Dr Andreas Schaaf, president, BMW India
to soon see a lot of them on the road. This is a perfect car for Goa.” The BMW X3 will be available in a range of eight exciting colours, including Alpine White as non-metallic paintwork and the following metallic colours: Titanium Silver, Black Sapphire,
Mineral Silver, Space Grey, Deep Sea Blue, Vermillion Red and Sparkling Bronze. Leather Nevada is the standard upholstery for the new BMW X3 and is available in Beige, Black, Red Brown/ Black, Havanna/Black and Oyster/Black.
Sesa Goa buys 51 per cent in Liberian mining firm
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esa Goa, a subsidiary of London-listed Vedanta Resources, bought a 51 per cent stake in Western Cluster Ltd (WCL), a Liberian iron ore mining company, in an all-cash deal of $90 million (400 crore). WCL will develop the Western Cluster iron ore mining project, which covers mining of deposits and setting up transportation and shipping infrastructure for its export. The acquisition by Sesa Goa, India’s largest iron ore exporter, was ratified by the West African nation’s legislature. Located in the western part of Liberia and spread over a 270 sq km area, Western Cluster has assets with 60
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an estimated reserve of over 1.05 billion tonnes of iron ore. The deposits are located close to the coast along Monrovia to Mano River. Sesa Goa managing director, P K Mukherjee, said the acquisition would help the company consolidates its iron ore business. “The projects present an excellent opportunity for developing a large integrated mining operation and establish our presence in Liberia and Africa”, he added. Western Cluster is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elenilto Minerals & Mining LLC, which operates iron ore, gold, copper and other mineral mines in Africa and Europe.
Elenilto has about 100 exploration and mining licenses over 10,000 sq km in Africa and Europe.
P K Mukherjee, MD, Sesa Goa
Nissan formally inaugurates dealership in state
Gitanjali, Goa celebrates Chaturthi with saving schemes
G Managing director and CEO of Nissan Motor India Kiminobu Tokuyama inaugurating A M Nissan in Verna
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oan customers have yet another option in the automobile market with the formal inauguration of Nissan Motor India’s dealership in the state. A M Nissan in Verna is the Japan-headquartered firm’s first dealership in Goa as the company recognises the state as “a favourable destination for investment”. Inaugurating the dealership, managing director and CEO of Nissan Motor India Kiminobu Tokuyama said, “We are very happy to be here to offer some of the best cars in the world and improve the quality of life. The dealership opening demonstrates the importance Nissan attaches to the state of Goa. We are aware that this is a very important phase of our journey and we stand by our commitment to provide customers with a full range of products and services.” A M Nissan Goa, owned by Thomas Menezes, has a showroom facility spread over approximately 35,000 sq ft fitted with a workshop and customer-services centre offering multi-media entertainment while clients wait. Manoj Kumar, vice president of sales and marketing at Hover Automotive India which is
Nissan’s marketing, sales, after-sales service and dealer development arm, said, “We have crossed another important milestone with the opening of our first dealership in Goa, taking our numbers to 40 dealerships across India. With the valued patronage and support of our dealer partners, we hope to create a significant presence of Brand Nissan and provide total customer satisfaction with best-in-class products and high-quality service standards.” At the showroom in Verna, Nissan offers its global compact hatchback the Micra, luxury sedan Teana, premium SUV X-Trail and sports car 370Z. As part of the celebrations, new buyers of Nissan cars were handed their keys while the owner of the oldest Nissan in Goa Gajanan Naik, who has been running his car for the last 52 years, was felicitated. According to Menezes, “We have very aggressive and strong marketing plans and believe we will be able to make our presence felt in a crowded Indian market. Nissan as a brand is not new to Goa. So far the response has been overwhelming.”
itanjali Jewels in Alfran Plaza near Don Bosco, Panaji, has introduced a Gold Rush Offer to mark Ganesh Chaturthi festivities in the state. It is an opportunity for customers to book gold at the going price and take home jewellery on Dhanteras. The most attractive part of the offer is that customers will receive up to 100 per cent off on making charges of gold coins and jewellery. Another saving scheme, Tamana, offers customers 12 monthly installments on which two monthly installments are free on purchasing diamond jewellery, and a monthly installment free on gold jewellery. Gitanjali Jewels is the flagship concept of Gitanjali Group, the only multi-branded lifestyle jewellery store in India. The showroom in Panaji houses an exquisite jewellery line that is IGI Certified and BIS 916 Hallmarked. From ethnic to casual designs under multiple brands and collections, the range includes earrings, necklaces, rings, pendants, nose pins, tanmanias in mangalsutras, designed to cater to the needs of the modern customer under various price segments.
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FOCUS
Aadhaar:
Every Indian’s Right Goa is gearing up to be the first right state in India to give all its residents a Unique Identification number (UID) This foolproof system aims at ensuring safety and security of the people by giving them a unique identity and number that stays with them for life, completely free of charge. Through this Chief minister Digambar Kamat hands over an Aadhaar card system, the to its first recipient government aims to provide every resident, very human has a unique identity including infants, the elderly and and we often have to prove it even those who do not posses for various legal, financial and identity proof, with a UID that will administrative procedures. Keeping this be linked to personal information, in mind the Government of India has including demographic and biometric established the enterprising initiative information. This includes the facial of Aadhaar, under Nandan Nilekani, image, fingerprints of all ten fingers Chairman, Unique Identification and an iris scan. This will enable Authority of India (UIDAI). people to access a “Aadhaar is a Government of India host of benefits and initiative to provide a unique 12-digit services anywhere in identification number to establish India, thus promoting the identity of every resident in the better mobility and nation,” says Anand Sherkhane, a migration within senior officer of the Indian Economics the country. Service (IES) and director of the The UID number Department of Planning, Statistics and will lead to a drastic fall Evaluation, the nodal body appointed by the Government of Goa to handle this in fake and duplicate identities. Aadhaar can be prestigious assignment. used in future by agencies Aadhaar, which translates into as an identity proof to ‘foundation’, is the brand name given open and operate a bank to the process of acquiring a Unique account, acquire a mobile Identification number (UID). “The phone connection, avail of number, generated randomly, is devoid health and other services of any classification based on caste, anywhere in the country. creed, religion or region. It will soon On the financial front, the become an important identity proof UID will also be beneficial. which will replace multiple proofs for Connecting the UID to the identity,” adds Sherkhane.
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bank account of the holder will enable people to access services more easily and effectively. Residents are required to fill out an enrolment form and submit it to the enrolment agency along with a proof of identity, date of birth and address / residence proof, which will further be verified. The collected information will be put through a de-duplication exercise to check that it is not already stored in the database. The UID number will then be assigned to the applicant and will be sent to his / her residence. The enrolment for the UID is being carried out at more than 30 centres across the state. Goa is gearing up to be the first state in India to cover all its residents within four months. n
Sharayu Toyota: A Decade of Sales and Service in Goa
Amarsinh P Patil, executive director and CEO of Sharayu Motors, Goa
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harayu Toyota, the Toyota dealers of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, is celebrating two milestones. Based in Verna, its first dealership is entering a decade of operations in the state, while the second one in Colvale, the latest to join the network of exclusive Toyota ‘3S’ dealership, celebrates a year since its launch. ‘3S’, which signifies sales, service and spare parts under one roof, is the company’s unique approach to customer care and service. Sharayu Toyota was launched in Goa amid much pomp by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar in the presence of then chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and industries minister Luizinho Faleiro. Under the guidance of Amarsinh P Patil, executive director and CEO of Sharayu Motors, Goa, Sharayu Toyota with its headquarters in Mumbai, has lived up to its unique approach to customer care and service, putting into effect the Toyota stamp of quality on
its products. Patil outlines his plan for ecologically green and pristine, the ten year celebration with several our government should draft out a plan customer-friendly schemes which have in collaboration with foreign countries.” been chalked out. With staff – at both dealerships – of Despite the recent surge in the cost up to 236, out of which around of diesel, Patil, is hardly fazed. “Have 95 per cent are Goans, customer people stopped buying cars when petrol satisfaction is at the helm of prices rose by 8-10 rupees? It’s the Sharayu Toyota’s dealings. same with diesel. There would be an “We contribute to speedy and initial uproar, and then people will be efficient service, allowing customers used to the situation.” to experience the convenience According to Patil, the highest-selling and pleasure of owning a Toyota Toyota automobile in the state is the automobile,” says Patil. n Innova, with over 5000 vehicles plying on Goan roads. However, he feels that the market, particularly in the state, has not taken to new generation cars as yet. “As responsible citizens, we should lay more emphasis on hybrid cars. Sharad Pawar inaugurating the Sharayu Toyota dealership, Verna To keep Goa in 2001. Also present were Pratapsingh Rane and Luizinho Faleiro SEPTEMBER 2011 63
Aamir Khan graces Sharada Mandir awards presentation
HAPPENINGS
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ollywood actor-director-producer Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao were stars of the evening at the Sharada Mandir High School Annual Awards presentation, which recognised the students’ excellence in academics and sports. Managing director of V M Salgaocar Company Ltd and chairman of the Sharada Mandir Trust Dattaraj Salgaocar welcomed the guests and outlined the plans of the school. Deserving students were presented certificates and awards after which invitees were entertained with a performance by the students. Dipti Salgaocar introduced the guests of honour, while newly appointed principal Sharmila Umesh and administrator Oscar Gonsalves addressed the gathering. Junior school principal Eunice D’Sa made a presentation of the school’s achievements in the last year. Aamir Khan remembered his mother’s words encouraging him to not just aim at winning awards, but also to be caring towards others.
Eunice De Sa
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Oscar Gonsalves
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Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan light the lamp as Dattaraj and Dipti Salgaocar look on
Dipti & Dattaraj Salgaocar, Aamir Khan & Kiran Rao
Sharmila Umesh
Sharada Mandir
Gold Medalist - Shivam Goel
Silver Medalist - Mebin Dominic
Bronze Medalist - Shyamli Singbal
Merit Prize - Adarsh Agarwal
Merit Prize - Yash Dalal
Merit Prize - Saidutt Redkar
Merit Prize - Saloni Shirvaikar
Radhika Jalan
Head Girl - Isha Usgaonkar, Head Boy - Siddharth Shetty
! e e d s a w Sa Performers with Thai Council Bancha Yuenyongchongcharoen
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isitors braved the monsoon showers to experience a convivial Thai Night at Vivanta by Taj – Panaji. Organised by The Royal Thai Consulate – General, Mumbai in association with Vivanta by Taj, the night was permeated by a cultural programme, vegetable carving demonstrations and authentic Thai cuisine. Saleem Yousuff, Area Director of the Taj Hotels in Goa and Chitra Saleem GM of Vivanta by Taj, Panaji played the perfect hosts. The Kamat brothers, Uday and Dattaprasad, who own the hotel, also attended the evening, along with their families.
Pics by Edric George
Chitra & Saleem Yousuff with Dattaprasad & Anjali Kamat
Vishal Varma, Govind Tiwari & Pandurang Phaldessai
Manoj Caculo
Shekar Sardessai
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Thai night at Vivanta by Taj, Panaji
Paresh Savordekar, Shiva & Shivani Naik, Meghna Savordekar
Smita & Uday Kamat
Cmd Venugopal, Odette Mascarenhas, Shweta & Gaurav Sahai
David Menezes
Suraj Caculo
Kranti & Adrina
Maya Vernekar
Shruti Pandit, Geetika & Manu Gupta
Meghna Caculo
Keshev Kamat
Shweta Sethia with Dr Vikas & Anita Dhupar
Madan Bakshi & Nandan Kudchodkar
Hemant Usgaonkar
Gauri Nadkarni
Akshada Khaunte
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Dr Subodh Kerkar
Nilesh & Sonali Amonkar, Sonia & Gaurang Suktankar
Shyam & Sonia Haridas, Raghuvir, Xavier Vaz
Jorge Costa
K G Gupta
Shefali Caculo
Varsha Pai Raikar Dr Muriel Sequeira
Melvin Vaz & Sanjeev Kamat
Shivani Sardessai, Smita Kamat
Soel Deoda
HAPPENINGS Doctors meet at Cidade de Goa
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he medical symposium at Cidade de Goa earlier this month organised by the Dr G K Salelkar Memorial Foundation, was attended by the medical fraternity of from all over Goa and beyond. With the theme of ‘Romance of Medicine’ pertaining to the advancement in technology and the fascinating world of alternative medicine, the symposium was held after a gap of about five years. The event was inaugurated by Alcon Victor Group chairman and managing director Victor Albuquerque along with the members of the foundation. Doctors from across the state attended the symposium. Victor Albuquerque lighting the lamp
Dr Rajani & Dr N G Dubhashi
Sheela Jaywant
Dr S V Nadkarni
Dr Avinash & Dr Anagha Dubhashi
Vasudev Tamba
Dr Deep Bhandare
Dr Vinay Surlekar and Dr Raju Dhume
Dr Uday Nagarshekar & Dr Pankaj Desai
Edlyn, Dr Edelweiss & Dr Edwin Rodrigues
Dr Ajay Viadhya and Dr Vinay Kumar Pai Raikar
Dr Yogeeta & Dr Sushant Walke
Dr B Ghanekar
Dr Sulbha Keny
Sylvia Albuquerque
Dr Sanjeev Juwarkar
Dr Vikas Shirodkar
Dr Prakash Pispati
Dr Suresh Mandrekar
Dr Andre Fernandes
Dr V M Sardesai
Dr Silvano Dias Sapeco
Pics by Edric George
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HAPPENINGS
Travel Nishtha Desai, Sapna Sardessai, Rahul Deshpande, Zubin D’Souza & Lisa Dias
Cuisine
come together in a NEW BOOK
Nitin Kunkolienkar
Ramnath Quemin, Carolina de Souza, Amita Quenim & Ralph de Souza
Dr Tarna Khadpe,Prasad Pankar, Hema Nagvenkar & Sangita Gaunekar
Abir & Parvesh Kamat with Nilima Menezes
Giriraj Pai Vernekar, Sandesh Prabhudesai, Mahesh Prabhu & Manish Karapurkar
Varad Karmali, Amit Kamat, Shreyas Kamat & Neha Dhumatker
Jitendra, Vedant & Chetan Malkarnekar
Pics by Edric George
K K Shekar
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hef Zubin D’Souza believes it’s pay back for all he’s received and The Goa Travel Adventure Cookbook tells his readers so much more than just how to make good fish curry rice. He had his book released at Sunaparanta by architect Rahul Deshpande, who had guests in peals of laughter over his cooking experiences as a student in the US. Sapna Sardessai of Printers Devil, which published the book, said “The rare, popular, but always delightful cuisine of Goa, interspersed with interesting anecdotes written in a racy, reader-friendly style traces Zubin’s journey across Goa, making this book a real keepsake. His noble gesture of pledging the proceeds of this book to get children off the street adds human value.”
Manisha Salkar
Sonali Trivedi
Prashanti Talpankar
Shilpa Deshpande & Pallavi Salgaonkar
Swati & Nilesh Zuwarkar
Upendra Gaunekar Girish & Sapna Sardessai
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Goa College of Art, Class of ’91, (Applied Art) Reunion held
HAPPENINGS
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mid laughter and stories of bunking class, the 1991 batch of students of the Applied Art Class of the Goa College of Art (GCA), along with their families, reunited after 20 years. Held at Resort Rio in Arpora, past principals and teachers strolled down memory lane with past students who had travelled from as far as the UK, the UAE and within India to reminisce and share happy memories. The reunion was filled with several events, including a visit to the Art College campus the next day. The alumni, which were the first batch of the Art College under Goa University, were showed the expansions of the college including the new wings of a state-of-the-art audio-visual and computer graphics, sculpture and mural design studios. Although one of the first principals of the college, eminent artist Laxman Pai, could not attend, past principals including professors D V Navelkar and A R Shirodkar made it to the function. The current principal Prof Mahesh Vengurlekar, in his address, explained to the alumni the new course structure, which was prepared to keep with the changing times. Felix Martires, Roger Attlee, Nutan The Class of ‘91 (Applied Art) planting a sapling in the college campus Kurtarkar, Shilpa Sinari, Sharon Fernandes, Freddy Ferrao, Dipak Chari, Ra-Ben Almeida, Umesh Bandodkar, Romilla Cotta Carvalho, Ashwin Nayampally, Shalma Amonkar Qureshi, Sheetal Paknikar, Blasco Andrade, Leila Menezes, Satyen Keny and Kedar Dhume were among those who attended the function. Prof D V Navelkar
Sabita Prubhadesai
Dominic Cordo
Lily De Souza
Prof A R Shirodkar
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Rajiv Shinde
Sheetal Paknikar
Digamber Singbal receiving a momento
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Anthony D’Souza
Principal Mahesh Vengurlekar
Pics by Edric George
Nissan Goa showroom
HAPPENINGS
formally inaugurated
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he 370Z sports car was in the spotlight at the formal launch of the AM Nissan showroom in Verna. Owned by Thomas and Lilia Menezes, the showroom is spread across 35,000 feet and several floors which also include a workshop, lounge, reception and multi-media centre. Gajanan Naik, the owner of the oldest Nissan running in Goa, put on display his beloved car which he has been running for 52 years now. The showroom was inaugurated by Nissan Motor India managing director and CEO Kiminobu Tokuyama, who also handed out keys to new Nissan owners.
Bianca Menezes, Francis Paul, Tyron & Leotha D’Souza
Lilia, Lara, Thomas & Lisa Menezes
Elvin Martins & Ajay Mendes
Phil Mendes, Mariola Mathas,Christine Pinto & Salome Menezes
Gita & Raman Madhok with John Mendes
Sydney & Melita D’Souza with Manda Bandekar
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The Nissan 370Z
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Elliott & Alexandra Menezes
Victor & Sylvia Albuquerque
Francis Menezes, Patricia & Agnelo Pinto
Naval, Karishma & Aditya Naik
Corine Miranda
Pics by Edric George
VIVA GOA DIARY
Independence Day celebrations
Government
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overnor Dr S S Sidhu hosted a state reception on India’s 64th Independence Day at Raj Bhavan. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Asha Kamat, Speaker of Goa Legislative
Assembly Pratapsingh Rane, Vijayadevi Rane, MPs Shantaram Naik and Francisco Sardinha, chairman of Goa State Law Commission Ramakant Khalap, deputy chairman of State Planning Board Dr Wilfred D’Souza, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, secretaries to the Government and industrialists attended the reception. Dr Sidhu said, “This year, our Independence anniversary has added significance to Goans as the state is in the midst of celebrating the golden jubilee of its Liberation and silver jubilee of full-fledged statehood.” He threw light on the efforts of the freedom fighters and the struggle under Mahatma Gandhi. Dr Sidhu also highlighted the achievements of India
to emerge as an economic super power But there is still a large section of our society below the poverty line and that a lot of ground has to be covered in education and public healthcare, particularly in our rural areas, he said. He spoke about the government’s efforts to promote welfare of its people through various special programmes. Chief minister Digambar Kamat also paid tribute to the memory of martyrs and freedom fighters who fought for the cause of freedom. He said that India is now heading towards becoming a super power. Goa too has progressed during the last 50 years, he added, mentioning particularly its achievement in literacy, education and health. He appealed for support from the people in making Goa a model state in the country.
Mormugao Port Trust
Chairman of MPT P Mara Pandiyan, IAS, inspects the Guard of Honour at MPT, Headland
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he Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) observed Independence day with the unfurling of the national flag by the chairman P Mara Pandiyan, IAS, followed by a parade presented by the Central Industrial Security Force, the Port Fire Brigade personnel, and the students of Deepvihar Higher Secondary and Secondary School. Pandiyan in his address said, “The port is
committed to bringing down the level of pollution to the bare minimum negligible level as cargo handling cannot be given up because many Goan industries depend on this cargo. Mechanisation is the only option and the port is working on this model. “We have taken a decision to go for e-tendering of all procurement to bring in more visibility and, as far as our port is concerned, we are committed to promote transparency in every walk of life. The SAP system will be further strengthened to integrate all operations by
Ramada Caravela Beach Resort
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amada Caravela Beach Resort celebrated Independence Day with the unfurling of the national flag by chairman and managing director Sunder G Advani and executive director of Advani Hotels & Resorts (I) Ltd Haresh G Advani. The unfurling of the flag was followed by salutation and march past by the resort’s security squad. Vinesh Gupta, general manager of the resort, the management and staff along with the hotel guests participated in the function.
computer and human hand will be distanced.” Also speaking on MPT’s development programme, he added, “Development is the need of the hour and we are in dialogue with everyone to see that the projects of MPT are taken to new heights. The role of MPT in developing the state’s economy is significant. We will continue to work hard to boost the State Grown Domestic Product of Goa and despite all constraints we are taking earnest steps by engaging all stake holders to build a vibrant MPT.”
In his address, the chairman spoke about the progress of the country over the past 64 years and said that our country was still young and had a lot of potential to grow in all possible sectors. He also highlighted the Ramada Caravela Beach Resort’s attempt to help the growth of the tourism industry in India. The resort he said, reflects the rich culture and tradition of Goa through services and facilities and leaves no stone unturned to give the best to those visiting India and will continue in the years to come. SEPTEMBER 2011 75
VIVA GOA DIARY
Shrinivas Dempo appointed consular correspondent of Italy in Goa
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hairman and MD of Dempo Group, Shrinivas V Dempo has been appointed the consular correspondent for Goa by the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai according to a consular decree approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, government of Italy. Dempo took office from August 11 after former consular correspondent Antonio dal Negro retired. His duties as consular correspondent will include the collaboration and coordination with the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai in all the matters concerning the welfare of the Italian nationals in Goa, as well as to assist in matters relating to economic, commercial and cultural cooperation
between the Republics of Italy and India. Speaking to Viva Goa, Dempo said, “I consider it a rare honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of representing one of the major countries, one of the leading economies of the European Union. With India shaping up as a one of the most powerful among the emerging economies of the world, the opportunities for trade and investment between the Republics of Italy and India are many and varied. “Matters relating to the welfare of Italian nationals in Goa and commercial as well as cultural cooperation between Italy and Dempo has followed in the our state shall be my privileged footsteps of his father late responsibilities, which I look forward to Vasudeva Dempo, who was the discharging with pleasure.” honorary consul of Mexico in Goa.
Corporate honchos set for Goa Super Sixes Tournament 2011
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op corporates from across India will come together as Goa gears to host another edition of Goa Super Sixes at Taj Exotica to be held from October 7 to 10. The annual cricket tournament that has the various corporate houses competing against each other at the game of beach cricket is being ideated, conceptualised and will be executed by PDM India, a Division of Percept Limited. Ten corporates have registered to participate in the beach cricket in a knockout format including Provogue, XXX Enegry Drink, Abil Group, Zee Network, Pinc Group among others. The teams with
the best quotient out of the three winning teams will progress to the finals of the Beach Cricket Tournament. Former cricketers like Kapil Dev, Ajay Jadeja, Vinod Kambli, Nilesh Kulkarni, Lalchand Rajput will also be participating in the event. The event is being orgainsed to combine the passion for the sport and foster amity among the various corporate houses where team players will be shuffled to allow the players to network with each other. The tournament has some unusual and entertaining rules that have been
incorporated and each team will comprise of two players between the ages of 30 to 40 and 4 players over the age of 40.
Nadkarni new president of Clube Tennis de Gasper Dias One of Goa’s premier clubs, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Miramar has a new Managing Committee for the triennium 2011-2014 which was elected unopposed. The Committee comprises of president Adv Yogesh Nadkarni, vice president Joe Mathias, secretary Rajesh Khaunte, treasurer Manoj Caculo, joint secretary Sunil Naik, joint treasurer Annand Madgavkar, and members Prasad Keni, Babuli Ghanekar, Luchi Veljee, Parag Joshi and Vijay Hede. Gaurish Dhond has been elected as the Chairman of the General Assembly
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VIVA GOA V M Salgaocar Foundation DIARY honours meritorious students
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he V M Salgaocar Foundation has felicitated the top ranking students at the SSC level of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education and the toppers from the Goa centres of ICSE exams that were held in April 2011. The awards, which were
Artist Yolanda Souza Kammermeier receives Hungarian award
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oan artist Yolanda Sousa Kammermeier was honoured with an award for Creative Excellence at The International Artist camp organised by The Artist Colony of Hajduboszormenv, Hungary. The award carries a certificate, a medal, a cash prize and an automatic invite for next year’s camp. The 15-day camp came to an end with an exhibition of works that were created by the artists while at the camp and the awards were declared at a glittering function organised to open it. Fifteen artists from seven countries including Romania, Greece, Croatia, Russia, Ukraine and India besides Hungary were invited to the camp. The Artists’ Colony of Hajduboszormeny, Hungary has a 48-year-long history and its directorial board includes artists, art critics, curators and art promoters. This year’s camp was held from July 9 to 22. 78
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given out by speaker Pratapsingh Rane, consisted of a cash prize, a merit certificate and two books published by the foundation. The eight students from the SSC Goa Board who were felicitated included Daksha Atish Naik from Fatima Convent High School, Margao; Samrudhi Gajanan Bandodkar from Presentation Convent High School, Margao; Risha Milind Hegde from Bhatikar Model High School, Margao; Aadya Nitish Kerkar from Mahila and Nutan English High School, Margao; Akash Anil Ringane from Mahila and Nutan English High School, Margao; Gauri Santosh Kenkre from Mushtifund High School, Panaji; Srilalitha Bhamidipati from Dnyanprassarak Vidyalaya, Mapusa; and Vimladevi Rao from Vivekanand Vidyalaya, Ponda. The topper in the ICSE board examination Vaibhavi Gajanan Prabhu Dessai from Vidya Vikas Academy, Margao, was also felicitated.
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ig Foot has yet again entered the Limca Book of Records, this time with the children of the Alvares family taking the first steps. Karishma and Adriel Alvares created a collection of 6,200 footprints on cloth, in a span of 15 days, beginning on October 26, 2010. The cloth that measures 40 by 15 meters had an addition of another two prints taken on the 15th anniversary of Ancestral Goa, thus making the total number of footprints to 6202. The collage includes footprints of dignitaries like chief minister Digambar Kamat and wife Asha Kamat, minister for power Aleixo Sequeira, minister for forests Philip Neri Rodrigues and Commissioner for NRI affairs Eduardo Faleiro among others. The artisans who helped in building Ancestral Goa were also included in this collage, ie the artist, mason, painter, carpenter, tour operator, supplier among others. Also forming a part of the collage was a canvas running along length of the 40 metres of the cloth, which had paintings on the theme of ‘Communal Harmony through Art’ and signed by the artists and 50 underprivileged children with their footprints.
Big Foot leaves mark in Limca Book of Records
VIVA GOA DIARY
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GIM’s convention Samriddhi reaches out to rural markets
oa Institute of Management’s annual national conference, Samriddhi 2011, held in the month of August, focused on the unassuming and upcoming market of rural India through its theme ‘Business in Rural Markets’. The conference covered the scope, strategies and problems faced by companies in these markets. The conference was inaugurated by the chief guest Naseer Munjee, Director of Tata Motors along with Peter D’Lima, Director, GIM. It also showcased some of the best minds of the country and played host to delegates and dignitaries from some of the biggest corporate namesin India. Some of the prominent speakers included Murali Vullaganti, CEO, Rural
Shores, Dilip Ranjekar, CEO Azim Premji Foundation, Ravi Venkataraman, CFO, Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd. and Proffesor Mithileshwar Jha, Faculty of Marketing at IIM Bangalore among others. The speakers debated over various issues in the rural market, consumer behaviour, rural finance and enterprises, supply chain management and the role of IT for the rural consumer. In addition to being a business meet and thought platform, the event also featured students from some of the top institutes in the country battle at different competitions including a business plan contest, case study competition and an online quiz, was held to examine the entrepreneurial instinct, business know-how and wits of
participants. In addition, a photography contest, advertisement fest and simulation games were also held to test the ability of participants to think and unleash another side of creativity.
Mind & Body, Heart & Soul launched
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ind & Body, Heart & Soul, Goa’s first health, fitness and environment tabloid magazine, was launched in Panaji by former chief minister and veteran surgeon Dr Wilfred de Souza, along with the dean of GMC Dr V N Jindal and renowned homeopath Dr Mukesh Batra. Dr Wilfred de Souza, who shares his battle with diabetes in the cover story, urged the editor to make the magazine more interactive. He stressed that there was a great need for information on chronic conditions like diabetics which are avoidable. He reiterated that
it would serve the interest of the Goan community which did not have access to sufficient material on the latest developments in medicine. Senior journalist and editor Tara Narayan said it was a dream come true as she was passionate about bringing out a health magazine. She stressed that it would also promote sustainable living by encouraging organic food movements and advocating the restoration of a green environment. Rajan Narayan, editor of Goan Observer and MD of the magazine proposed the vote of thanks.
Resort Rio, Arpora, celebrates its first anniversary
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he day before India’s 64th independence day was a special time for Resort Rio, as it celebrated its first anniversary. Guests joined in the celebrations as the luxury resort in Arpora headed into its second year of operations. The hotel’s star performers were also felicitated on the occasion and general manager Terrence Nunes presided 80
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over the event. The spirit of celebration was evident as the weekend special Rio Sundays commenced. The Grand Rio Carnival saw DJ George spin a mix of Hindi and English pop. A richly-attired King Momo and his merry troupe performed a special dance to the excitement of the crowd. Resort Rio boasts one of Goa’s largest conference facilities.
VIVA GOA SPOTLIGHT
Focusing on Goan achievers
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hey’ve pumped the wind into their sails with a patient determination that has seen them win windsurfing trophies at the national level. Dayne Coelho and Charbelle Carmo Lobo enjoy leaving their opponents in their wake as they aim for stiffer competition. The 13-year-olds both brought home golds from the National Windsurfing Championships this year, winning all three races in the Junior Boys and Junior Girls categories. Now they’ve put international honours in their sights and hope to some day achieve their dream of participating in the Olympics. Coached by Dayne’s father Donald, himself a top windsurfer, the teenagers are all set to go the distance and make Goa proud. Dayne and Charbelle tell Viva Goa why windsurfing is not all plain sailing
You got into windsurfing… Dayne: After watching my father. I first stood on a board when I was seven and got into competition when I was 11. Charbelle: After my mother sent me for a windsurfing camp. I used to sail the optimist class before that. Biggest challenge on the water… Dayne: To master the ‘helicopter’ in which you have to turn the sail and yourself 360 degrees. Charbelle: Getting used to the gusty wind and big waves when I first started windsurfing. You mentally prepare for a race… Dayne: By listening to music and keeping calm. Charbelle: By planning my start, the route to take and what time I should be at the start line.
day except during the monsoons, and more during the holidays. Charbelle: The whole day during summer vacations. A mishap while on the water… Dayne: When I was constantly slipping off my board during a recent regatta due to an oil spill from the barges. Charbelle: When my sail came out from the universal joint and the committee boat had to come help me put it back. An embarrassing faux pas while windsurfing… Dayne: When I tried a freestyle move called ‘Sidewalk’ during
You practice… Dayne: For an hour-and-a-half every
practice and fell off the board with the sail right on top of me. All my friends burst out laughing. Charbelle: When the dolphins swam along the boats, it was very scary at first. Your sports icon… Dayne: Windsurfing world champion Robby Naish. Charbelle: Donald Coelho, Remy Fernandes, Derrick Menezes and my mother who used to windsurf and sky-dive when she was younger. Windsurfing is… Dayne: An amazing, adventurous sport. It’s a totally different feeling when the wind picks up. Charbelle: One thing that gives your soul joy and brings you closer to nature.
Dayne Coelho Charbelle Carmo Lobo 82
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Pic by Edric George