Viva Goa July Issue by Shailesh Amonkar

GOA’S FIRST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 1. NO 3. JULY 2010, RS 25

‘MUSIC IS DEAR TO MY HEART’

FRANCISCO SARDINHA

A WALK BACK IN TIME

FONTAINHAS

‘PASSIONATE ABOUT HUMAN AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS’

DR PRAMOD SALGAOCAR

LIVING SPACE OF

REHANA AND HAROON EBRAHIM

THE GOAN FACE OF INDIAN TV RAJDEEP SARDESAI

EDITORIAL NOTE

‘Being First Is Not As Important As Being Right’

ike his famous father Dilip Sardesai before him, Rajdeep Sardesai plays the sheet anchor role, not at the crease but on the TV screen. As the anchor on CNN IBN, he is now a familiar figure to millions of viewers across the country as he presents the news or plays the persistent interlocutor asking the most uncomfortable questions on the hot topics of the day. Over the years, he has brought respectability and credibility to the dissemination of news on TV, an overcrowded arena now filled with half-truths and rumour mongering as channels increasingly vie for the sensational sound byte to grab, as the word goes, for 'more eyeballs'. A trifle over argumentative at times, Rajdeep Sardesai, has however, always maintained a sense of honesty and propriety. We in Goa can rightfully claim him as a son of the soil who has inherited all the virtues of a sound opening batsman: playing with a straight bat, defying bouncers with aplomb and responding always with an alert mind to the most daunting of

situations. It is not well known that Rajdeep himself was once no mean cricketer having captained the side at national junior level and also played for Oxford University. He is, besides, a qualified lawyer from Oxford and could well have been a most astute legal eagle. But the law's loss has been journalism's gain. And millions of viewers across India are thankful for that. More so in Goa, where we salute one of our own. As someone with keen interest in the media, to me Rajdeep is a role model. A multifaceted personality, he is not only a journalist, but an entrepreneur in his own right. I, on the other hand, am almost the polar opposite - an entrepreneur at heart and a journalist, coming in a close second. The cover story has been a particularly rewarding experience as I had the pleasure to interact with both Rajdeep and his gracious mother Nandiniji. Also is this issue, VIVA GOA takes a look at its history and its ontemporary, still laidback presence. Few places typify Goa as Fontainhas does. With its narrow streets and largely

READERS’ RESPONSE This magazine is a unique effort, very attractively put together. We in Goa need such an enterprise and I wish VIVA GOA the very best. Kalidas Sawkar, Caranzalem

Congratulations to you on starting something unique and that too in your inimitable style…! Kudos and best wishes to you and your team for bringing out fantastic issues of your Lifestyle Magazine. Keep it up! Kamlesh Amlani, Miramar Congratulations! It is indeed a good thing that you have launched Goa’s first lifestyle magazine. A publication of this type is a necessity to display the fair image of Goa which has been tarnished in the rest of India and the world. You have fulfilled this need. Please do not cater only to high society and the rich. The

untouched houses, it recalls us to a past era of grace and good fellowship. The widening tentacles of urban sprawl have threatened to deface its old world charm, but by and large the neighbourhood has stood firm and is now a protected heritage site. Long may it stay that way. We also have Francisco Sardinha who has been more than just a presence in Goa's political arena. The still dapper and debonair MP from South Goa shares with us his many areas of interest that go beyond his duties as a public figure, as does Dr Pramod Salgaocar, our redoubtable 'First Lady' who over the years has fought tirelessly over Women's Rights and the rights of the downtrodden in general in Goa. VIVA GOA congratulates renowned celebrity photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha. His distinguished professional dedication has resulted in the recent launch of his Marathi coffee-table book, ‘Chehere’. As a patron of VIVA GOA, he wrote our first cover story on the Mangeshkar family, hence we are honoured to feature the launch

common man will contribute and support your magazine if it caters to their needs. A sports page could be added, a page on affordable restaurants and another on Konkani drama, which is popular and loved by many. J. P. Pereira on e-mail Please allow me to make a few suggestions on VIVA GOA: Carry short interviews with achievers, senior citizens, bright students, housewives; photo features of beautiful old houses; details of top eating places, shops, educational institutions and traditional hotels; Goa in their childhood: interviews with older people; successful families stories, stories on famous locales e.g. Altinho, Comba etc.; Panaji 100 years ago with vintage photos. Please take all these suggestions in a constructive manner. Santosh R. Kenkre, Panaji

and wish him all success in his new venture. Also, I am pleased to present a new addition, ‘VIVA GOA DIARY’–a column featuring snippets from around Goa, pieces that have caught our attention and deserve to be mentioned. As always, all feedback and contributions are welcome. As I write this month’s editorial, it is a pleasant feeling with the rains in full fury. So, Viva to the monsoons! And VIVA GOA to all our readers.

Kedar Dhume

Thank you for your great coverage and cover story status to the new music phenomenon that is ‘Silent Noise’ (July Issue). It is indeed a unique musical experience that has taken Goa by storm. Ever since the ‘sixties and ‘seventies Goa has been the throbbing heartbeat of ever newer forms of music. Wilma De Souza, Margao I read VIVA GOA from cover to cover and appreciate your new journey in the media! Keep it up and all the best! Rajesh Chheda, Panaji

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

GOA’S FIRST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 1. NO 3. JULY 2010, RS 25

RAJDEEP SARDESAI The Goan Face of Indian TV

A WALK BACK IN TIME FONTAINHAS

‘PASSIONATE ABOUT HUMAN AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS’ Dr Pramod Salgaocar

‘I USED TO BE CAMERA SHY’

Living Space of Rehana

‘MUSIC IS DEAR TO MY HEART’

Haroon Ebrahim

page

Francisco Sardinha

‘WE FELT TRULY WELCOME IN THE TYPICAL GOAN WAY’ Manoj M. Caculo

Editor & Publisher

AFTER HOURS

Kedar N. Dhume

Francisco Sardinha Member of Parliament

Principal Consultant

COVER STORY

editor@vivagoaonline.com

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

THE GOAN FACE OF INDIAN TV

IBN 18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai on breaking news and his Goan ancestry, while mother Nandini provides some interesting inside information

Editorial Consultant

Manohar Shetty Assistant Editor

Emylou D’Souza reporter@vivagoaonline.com

Photographer

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Edric George

BIZ NOTES WORLD CUP SEPCIAL

page

Design

22 page 24

FEATURE

Manager Advertising

page

VIVA GOA examines Fontainhas, Panaji’s famous ‘Latin Quarter’

FIRST LADY

Nagesh Naik Kemistry Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

CONTENTS

Dr Pramod Salgaocar

HOSPITALITY THE CROWN GOA A ROYAL VIEW

By Advocate A.N.S. Nadkarni

By Sinead McManus

HI-TECH SOCIAL NETWORKING AND GOING GREEN

page

INTERIORS/ EXTERIORS

GOAN CUISINE MONSOON MASALA

page

COUTURE MONSOON MAGIC

By Michelle Banarse

page

WELLNESS THE AGUA SPA By Parineeta Sethi

BIZ NEWS 3G MOBILE SERVICES LAUNCHED IN GOA

By Chef Deepa Awchat

page

HOMING IN Executive Producer on the popular TV serial, ‘The Jewel in the Crown’, Sir Denis Forman on why he has made Goa his home

circulation@vivagoaonline.com

page

Satyawan Parsekar

LEGAL BRIEF THE LAWS OF KARMA

on the home of Rehana and Haroon Ebrahim in Taleigao

54 6

page

Arch. Siddha Sardessai

advertising@vivagoaonline.com Mob: +919850077993 Circulation

page

Tamara Faleiro

46 page 49 page 50

page

BANDSTAND

HAPPENINGS

‘bac2basix’ Lives up to its name – and more

page

GUEST COLUMN VACATION USA By Manoj M. Caculo

VIVA GOA DIARY

VIVA GOA SPOTLIGHT

Vaishali Talaulicar Vohra

Published by M/S Advertising Associates [Publication Division] 703, Dempo Trade Center, Patto Plaza, Panaji, Goa 403 001, INDIA. Tel : +91 832 2438999 Fax :+91 832 2437077 Printed at Akruti, 318, Parvati Industrial Estate, Pune Satara Road, Pune 411 009

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

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

COVER STORY

Editor-in-Chief of IBN 18 which runs CNN-IBN, IBN 7 and IBN Lokmat, and prime anchor,

RAJDEEP SARDESAI

is a familiar ﬁgure to millions of TV viewers across the country. His news slot and probing, on-the-spot interviews are among the most widely watched in India. The son of legendary Indian cricketer of Goan origin, Dilip Sardesai, Rajdeep gets oﬀ the mark with VIVA GOA

Rajdeep Sardesai ‘I USED TO BE CAMERA SHY’ By KEDAR DHUME

e is a familiar figure on CNN-IBN. Animated and argumentative, always informed and alert to the news of the day, Rajdeep Sardesai in his inimitable style, takes centre stage every day as the anchor on the 9 o’clock news and during national debates, putting errant politicians in the dock, asking uncomfortable questions, eliciting relevant information for the public good and holding millions in thrall with the thrust and parry of his arguments and pointed questioning. Beneath all this persistence and combative spirit, is one unerring aim: to arrive at the truth. With his hair now graying, Rajdeep still retains a boyish charm and a quickwitted intelligence that keeps his subjects on their toes as he elicits answers from the most uncomfortable questions. In many ways he epitomizes the Nobel laureate Amartya Sen’s ‘Argumentative Indian’.

Interviewing Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during a live telecast Making a point with Sachin Tendulkar

Receiving the prestigious ‘Ramnath Goekar Award’ for Excellence in Journalism from the former President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as Indian Express Editor-in-Chief Shekar Gupta looks on

With the former President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Barkha Dutt during a TV debate

8 Anchoring the ‘Real Heroes’ programme on TV, as Nita Ambani and Yash Chopra look on

The son of the legendary India Test cricketer, the late Dilip Sardesai, who hails from Margao, Goa and Nandini Sardesai, former Head of the Department of Sociology at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, Rajdeep has been as tenacious and dogged as an interlocutor in the TV studio as his father was on the cricket field. It has, however, not been an easy journey for him from the print media when he worked as the Metro Editor with the ‘Times of India’, Bombay to television broadcasting. Though he wrote several pathbreaking stories for the paper, he recalls that the transition to TV was far from easy. He says, “The biggest shift for me was to adjust to being on camera. I was initially very camera shy and it took me a while to get used to it. TV news is much more immediate, so really one has to think on one’s feet. And there are no shifts or weekends as such. Every day could be a big news day.” Recalling those early days, Rajdeep adds, “When I made the move from print back in 1994 to NDTV, TV news was at a nascent stage. We did just one half-hour programme a day. I never imagined that 15 years later there would be more than a hundred 24-hour news channels. I guess I was at the

I think the concept of breaking news has broken down. Every

little incident becomes ‘Breaking News’ because we want the TV screen to buzz constantly right time at the right place.” But, he cautions, “Competition, instead of encouraging diversity has led to a sameness. I think the concept of breaking news has broken down. Every little incident becomes ‘Breaking News’ because we want the TV screen to buzz constantly.’’ Then, almost as an afterthought, he provides a moment of lucid illumination, “I think first is not important. Being right is much more important.” Rajdeep has taken that right path since his schooldays at Cathedral and Campion in Mumbai, to St Xavier’s College in Mumbai to University College at Oxford and to a highly successful career in broadcasting. After he quit

The biggest shift for me was to adjust to being on camera. I was initially very camera shy and it took me a while to get used to it Dr Prannoy Roy’s NDTV, he started his own company Global Broadcast News (GBN) in collaboration with the American giant CNN and Raghav Bahl’s TV18. With Rajdeep as Editor-inChief, CNN-IBN went on the air in 2005. Since then, Channel 7, renamed as IBN 7, has come under this umbrella after Sardesai’s company bought a 46 per cent sake in the company. But CNN-IBN is the flagship. As one of the pioneering figures in private news channel broadcasts, Rajdeep maintains that the country is still seeing the first stage of the television revolution, a time when the monopoly of Doordarshan is finally over. That in itself is ‘a huge positive’. But he warns that standards in the past five years have deteriorated, that ‘too much competition has led to too many shortcuts’. He feels that there is too much hype and not enough emphasis on quality. “TV,” he says succinctly, “Needs to move to the next stage of being more than just a First Information Report.” He agrees with the view that national channels are too ‘metro-centric’, that their horizons are limited to the big city and to the shenanigans of politicians. On a note of optimism, he says, “I think television is slowly moving beyond politics and politicians. We have more stories on civil society than before, but we could do much more, especially in science, education, health and environment—that is the future of this country.” He also believes that ‘Citizen Journalism’ pioneered by CNN-IBN is a way forward and ‘Twitter’ and blogging are useful channels of communication, though the traditional journalism of gathering news will never die.

He met his wife and Primetime anchor Sagarika Ghose for the first time in 1986 when they both applied for a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford. She got it, he didn’t, but they met intermittently at Oxford and only really got to know each other when they both worked for the ‘Times of India’, she in Delhi and he in Bombay. “Rather than allow the phone bill to go up, we got married in ‘94,” laughs Rajdeep. But with Sagarika also a prominent TV journalist, how does he separate the personal from the professional? “We try our best not to take the newsroom home,” he says, “But it is easier said than done.” Adds Sagarika, “Rajdeep is a great dad and deeply committed to his kids and family. Very much a family man and my best buddy. The secret is that we are friends above all. Since we were at university together, we are like classmates who became pals and then became boyfriend and girlfriend! Marriage has not spoilt our friendship. My only grouse is that he’s incredibly absent-minded, which can be maddening!” It is in Goa that he and his family find true solace. Says Rajdeep, “My father’s dream was to settle in Goa. His heart was always in Goa where he built a house in Nerul. I come here at least once a year with my family though my mother visits much oftener. My kids Ishan and Tarini love the place. I guess Goa is for us the beach, the sands and of course the fish, and for me, sorpotel in particular!” Says Sagarika, “He is above all a very decent human being- that’s the Goan in him, I guess. He genuinely finds it difficult to think ill of anyone.” Visibly impressed by his achievements, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat says, “Rajdeep Sardesai is a worthy son of a worthy father. The late Dilip Sardesai was one of the prominent cricketers who played for the country and made his mark in international cricket. Rajdeep chose a different field and in a very short span of time, carved a niche as a journalist, first in print and then in the electronic media. As an Editorin-Chief of CNN-IBN, he has taken the news channel to new heights with impartiality and an

Family Portrait: Rajdeep with Sagarika, his mother Nandini, children Ishan and Tarini, sister Shonali, and brother-in-law Taimur

Cricket in the blood: At Lords with his family

As an Editor- in-Chief of CNN-IBN, Rajdeep has taken the news channel to new heights with impartiality and an inquisitive and unique style of presentation. He is forthright and fearless. —Digambar Kamat

With son Ishan at Wimbledon

At a public square in Mumbai named after his late father along with his mother Nandini and sister Shonali

‘THE RIGHT VALUES’

NANDINI SARDESAI on her son’s achievements and her role as teacher and mentor

inquisitive and unique style of presentation. He is forthright and fearless. The Goa government was honoured to have him open last year’s D. D. Kosambi lecture series. As a keynote speaker, his speech was well-delivered and highly informative.” Rajdeep is hurt by the widespread misrepresentation of Goa on TV. He says, “I feel sad that Goa only makes the news when there is some criminal activity. Somehow there is a wrong stereotype of Goa in the media. We see it as some kind of hippie society, and not as a traditional society. I see very few stories about Goa in the national media unless there is an unfortunate incident involving a foreign tourist. It is very sad that a state with such a low crime record is tainted in this manner.” He brightens up on recollecting memories of his father, though he has only a faint idea of the motorcade in Mumbai after the Indian team’s pathbreaking triumph in the series in the West Indies in 1971, when Rajdeep was only just seven years old. He recalls, “My best memories were of playing alongside my father for a small Mumbai club called Friends Cricket Club in ‘78-79. I was 13 and we had a century partnership together. That was a very special moment. To come from Goa to Mumbai at the age of 17, and then play for India at 21 is something remarkable. What I learnt from my father is that whatever he achieved in life and cricket, he always kept his feet on the ground. He treated cricket as a passion, not a profession.” Incidentally, Goa’s highest sports

honour, the ‘Dilip Sardesai Award’ was introduced by the Government of Goa in memory of his father. Awards in fact are not new to Rajdeep himself. He has won several prestigious prizes in journalism, including the International Broadcaster’s award for his coverage of the 2002 Gujarat riots and the Ramnath Goenka Award for excellence in journalism in 2007, besides the Asian Television Award for talk-show presentation. He was also chosen as News Anchor of the Year at the Indian Television Academy awards for six of the last seven years. He is currently the President of the Editors’ Guild of India and was conferred with a Padma Shri in 2008. What is lesser known is that Rajdeep himself was no mean cricketer. He played Under-19 cricket, captaining Bombay and West Zone Schools and was even in the Under19 probables for India. Later, as a student at University College in Oxford from 1986 to ‘88, where he took a BA and Masters degree in Arts and qualified in Law, he played first class cricket and was even part of a combined universities eleven against Pakistan in 1987. Rajdeep says ruefully, “I enjoyed the pubs at Oxford and we had some great teachers. But I was never good enough to play cricket at a higher level.” As a qualified lawyer, Rajdeep could well have pursued a career in law. But it was journalism, and TV journalism in particular, that won the case. For Rajdeep, the breaking story is both a passion and a profession.

don't think either Dilip or I were role models--but Rajdeep was proud of being a Test cricketer's son and Iextremely passionate about cricket. He played the

game all the time and went on to the university level. I have been a professor of Sociology and teaching for the last 35years. So I was a mentor to my children--took up their studies and inculcated values. Both Rajdeep and our younger daughter Shonali excelled in academics and have the right values. As a national cricketer, Dilip in the early years travelled a lot, so I had a greater share in nurturing them. Dilip was very keen to send Rajdeep abroad to study and England was the choice because of the happy blend of both sports and studies. Cricket and football interested Rajdeep-so he studied and played cricket in Oxford. Law was a natural choice because Rajdeep had done liberal arts--it provided a wide canvas as he read a lot and made friends from all over the world in an academic environment. When he returned to India, he joined a law firm but was not comfortable. He first wrote as a hobby and his work attracted the attention of Mr Jain and Dilip Padgaokar of ‘The Times of India’. He became their youngest editor. Initially, as parents we were apprehensive of his journey into the media. His foray into TV was due to his being at the right place at the right time--it was a new world and Rajdeep learned on the job. We encouraged him and were very proud as he excelled and achieved iconic status—now we were known as ''Rajdeep's'' parents and he was just Dilip's son! When he covered the riots in Mumbai (for the Times) and Gujerat (for NDTV), we were anxious but not afraid. He even went to Pakistan to the 'hideouts' of extremists. I only watch him on the news on TV and feel close to him. I am a satisfied grandmother and adore my grandkids and cherish the moments I spend with them. Rajdeep’s younger sister, Shonali is a Phd and works for the World Bank. We feel very proud of the magnificent work she is doing in the field of conflict management. In her younger days, she was a model for 'Garden Vareli' saris, but moved away to do much more serious work. As a parent, I am equally proud of both of them.

If Kerala is 'God's own country', Goa is… Paradise on earth. A Goan dish you relish… Sorpotel. Favourite eating joint in Goa Lunch at ‘Mandovi’, Panaji. You enjoy doing… Sleeping, and watching old cricket matches on TV. Describe yourself in one or two words Regular guy. The last time you heard

a ridiculous rumour about yourself Don't really remember; I don't believe in rumours-- like to stay with the facts. If you were not a journalist, then I would have been a lawyer. I was trained as a lawyer. Faux-pas during a live broadcast Once got up from the chair and I had worn track pants under the jacket. The world may have seen it! A person you would like to interview Mahatma Gandhi, if he were alive!

Power is… Not showing it off. Freedom is… Being able to have time to yourself. Women are… Much better TV than men. Your icon… Gandhi, what a guy! Favourite actress Zeenat Aman. Favourite political figure Lalu, he's made for TV.

FEATURE

Fontainhas takes you back in time to another more languid era. But strict conservation laws have proved a handicap to expanding family needs, VIVA GOA examines Panaji’s famous ‘Latin Quarter’ By PANTALEAO FERNANDES

A WALK BACK IN TIME Ajit Makhija of 'Panjim Inn'

Memories of a bygone era

aurice Hall, in his book ‘Window on Goa’ writes about Fontainhas, “This is one of Panjim’s most colourful areas, full of character and well deserving of a gentle exploration of its narrow streets and small squares.” He continues, “It has become one of Panjim’s finest residential areas and today this part, more than anywhere else, still has an atmosphere more Mediterranean than Indian. Amongst the jumble of narrow streets, the houses, all shapes and sizes and highly individualistic, are painted in contrasting colours as elsewhere in Goa, often with windows and door frames picked out in white. Colonnades and balconies, decorated balustrade and ornamental ironwork are much in evidence and together with the inevitable red-tiled rooftops, all add their contribution to the character of the district.” That is indeed the most apt description of the quaint little settlement located on the western banks of the Ourem Creek in Panjim. Percival Noronha, a historian who has lived in Fontainhas for a good 50 years delves into the annals of its history, “Till the mid-eighteenth century, the whole area was alluvial soil with a few paddy fields which later got developed as an extensive coconut grove named ‘Palmar Pont’. A large part of this area was leased by the government to the convent of Our Lady of Carmo of Chimbel. Due to the deteriorating sanitary conditions of Old Goa, a few offices from the old capital were hurriedly shifted to Panjim between 1810-1839. Due to these circumstances, demand for land in this area poured into the convent of Our Lady of Carmo. The Carmelites were prompt in leasing out the land without observing any rules of urbanisation. The area of Fontainhas soon got urbanised in a haphazard way with narrow paths winding through a large number of small dwellings and huts.” Ironically, today accelerating urbanisation has had to slam its brakes at Fontainhas, thanks to conservation laws and the freezing of this whole locality into a live museum providing a peek into the last couple of centuries. With its elegant houses of the Portuguese era, painted in bright and bold shades of red, blue and yellow and its claytiled roofs, it has come to be known as the ‘Latin Quarter’. Even the gateways have their own distinct character. Shops still display old signboards in the Portuguese language. Tourists love to roam its ancient narrow streets and frequent the few heritage inns in the area, making it their favourite haunt. In those days, drinking water was the elixir that attracted people to Fontainhas. A spring known as ‘Fonte Phoenix’ quenched the thirst of the area with its cool mineral waters and still does. According to Noronha, at the time of the Governor Viscount of Ourem Joaquim Jose Januario Lapa (1851-55), an artistic reservoir in basalt stone was built around this spring which provided three taps of potable water to the city. The ‘Fonte Phoenix’ became so important that ‘Palmar Ponte’ came to be known a ‘Fontainhas’. A phoenix, its head covered with the crown of the Viscount still decorates the fountain. Besides developing the fountain, Governor Viscount of Ourem, a man of foresight, trained the course of the Fontainhas creek and built marginal roads on both sides. The Rua de Ourem in Fontainhas, named after him, is now a familiar name to Panjimites. Says architect and researcher, Raya Shankhwalker, “The network of winding streets and public squares or largos open up new vistas at every turn. The hill, ‘altinho’, with a dense cover of rain trees and gulmohars provide a scenic backdrop to the vibrant colours on the walls of houses and the Ourem creek adds a touch of freshness to this dream setting.” An important landmark that dominates Fontainhas is the St. Sebastian Chapel. Says Percival, “The foundation stone of the chapel was laid on February 6, 1884 and was consecrated by the Partriarch of the Indes, D. Antonio Sebastiao Valente, on February 11, 1888. Engineer Jose Fredrico de Assa Castelo

Historian and Fontainhas old-timer Percival Noronha

Branco, Director of Public Works Department, drew the plans.” If one enters the chapel today, one is left breathless by the workmanship of the carpenters who worked on the altars. The holy images too are quite impressive and rare in depiction. In fact the three altars in the chapel belonged to the ruined church of the convent of St. Thomas of Diu. The right wing of the chapel houses an arresting crucifix. Contrary to conventional representations of Christ on the cross with his head slumped sideways, this icon has its face up, its haunting eyes looking sadly away. Till a few years ago, the crucifix carried a detailed note explaining its historical significance. The notice no longer stands there, and only a few know that it is the crucifix of the Inquisition which came to rest in this small chapel in suburban Panjim in 1918. The crucifix was used in the processions preceding the sittings of the Tribunal of the Inquisition which functioned in Old Goa till 1812 when the court was disbanded. The Inquisition, a dark chapter of Portugal’s proselytizing zeal in this former colony, was established in Goa in 1560 at Francis Xavier’s behest. For many of the residents in the middle income level, the conservation and cap on high rise construction has proved a hurdle to expanding family needs. “While real estate in the rest of Goa was shooting up, here they remained stagnant for many years,” says restaurateur Ernesto Alvares. That trend has been dramatically reversed in the last few years as international demand for heritage homes in Goa continues to soar. Nudging Fontainhas in the Sao Tome ward, Chiquito Souza and wife Roza run the quaint 12-room ‘Somia’ guest-house which is a favourite with backpackers. Souza recalls dozens of friends in the neighbourhood who have migrated “to Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and more recently to London with a Portuguese passport.” But none of them, he says, are selling their homes. “Many have restored their houses and will return here to their roots.” Souza himself spent ten years working in Pune and called it quits five years ago. The guest house business has helped him repair and maintain an abandoned portion of his home. Jack Ajit Sukhija too recalls how his father struggled to maintain the rambling house they inherited from his maternal side in Fontainhas till he hit upon the idea of converting it into a heritage hotel. Starting out with 12 rooms, ‘Panjim Inn’ acquired the heritage hotel classification in 1987. But it was still a struggle, says Sukhija. By 2002, they saw the once declining extension of old Panjim reinvent itself into “chick elegance”. Scores of guest houses in tastefully restored old homes now dot the area, a favourite haunt of walk-in foreign tourists. It seemed but natural that with his MBA degree, Sukhija now manages the business. ‘Panjim Inn’ has expanded to 24 well-appointed rooms, amalgamating the period furniture with air-conditioning. 20 per cent of the hotel’s sales are ploughed back into the maintenance of the heritage structure. Without the hotel it would have been tough to rejuvenate the dilapidated house to its renewed condition. Across the street, another old building now serves as an art gallery. Says Raya, “Inspite of being declared a heritage zone way back in 1974, the area has lost several of its houses to new insensitive development and as a result has lost a lot of its sheen. However, inspite of limited urban amenities and facilities, the community takes great pride in its heritage and culture.” Marie de Ceu Abrieu, a senior citizen, was born and brought up in Fontainhas. Recalling her early days, she says, “A lot of my friends staying in our neighbourhood were ‘mestico’ (born of Portuguese and Goan parentage) while some others were ‘decedents’ of Portuguese origin. After liberation, most of them left Fontainhas and life as we knew it totally changed.” She also remembers the street plays in Fontainhas called ‘khells’ during Carnival and Easter. Heritage lovers had conceptualised a ‘Fontainhas Festival of the Arts’, a three-day festival which converted the whole locality into a virtual art gallery. The houses would get a lick of paint and owners were kind enough to lend a room or a balcao to artists to exhibit their talent. Street corners turned into theatres for the performing arts. Traditional folk dances like the Godemonde and Gaudi Nach would be performed. Unfortunately, after a few years, the festival disappeared into the annals of Fontainhas history.

he romantic ‘Latin ward’ of Panjim where in an era long gone, boys serenaded their ladies through the evening and groups of music lovers took any opportunity to greet their friends on their birthdays or any other occasion, was the first truly residential area in Panjim. This area was ideal because of the availability of fresh drinking water, which trickled from a spring called ’Fonte Phoenix’, from which the ward derived its name ‘Fontainhas’. Until Panjim was elevated to a ‘vila’ and was made the capital, it was one of the wards of Taleigao village. The whole of Panjim then, was a marshy area, and the inhabitants were fisher folk and toddy tappers. A few residential houses belonging to the wealthy existed as summer retreats. The area of Fontainhas ward was purchased by a wealthy gentleman Antonio Joao de Sequeira, nicknamed “Mossmikar”, who had returned from Mozambique in Africa from where he brought quantities of gold which he invested in buying the area. He levelled the ground and called it “Palmar Ponte”, literally translated as ‘bridge coconut grove’. In 1784, after his death, the Government leased the large area developed by Sequeira to the convent of Our Lady of Carmo of Chimbel. The first house built in the area was that of Antonio Joao de Sequeira. Later Adv. Andre Paulo David de Souza, who hailed from Chorao and was legal adviser to Mr. Sequeira, bought land from him and built a house. Another palatial house was that of Francisco da Paula e Fonseca, where today functions the Fundacao Oriente. When Panjim was chosen as the new capital of Goa, the government staff needed houses to live in the city and

Wellspring of e g d e l w o Kn

in Panaji ns d r a w l sidentia inguished Goa e r y l u r t y dist e ﬁrst n h a t s m a o t w e as and hom Fontainh By LOURDES BRAVO DA COSTA RODRIGUES

The unique crucifix from the Inquisition hall

St Sebastian Chapel

Moving at its own leisurely pace ALL PICS BY PANTALEAO FERNANDES

Fontainhas seemed ideal. Different citizens, included the Portuguese gentry and government officials, mestizos and other Goans populated the ward. It must be mentioned that the ward, without proper planning, suffered from a haphazard growth which has given its characteristic look of narrow lanes and bylanes with houses standing cheek by jowl. A ward with such a diverse population is bound to produce people from varied fields, including doctors, advocates, teachers and bureaucrats. A selective attempt is made here to list a few names, prominent in the Goan scenario, and who have left an indelible mark, but without offence to others who have not been mentioned. An important personality, Filipe Nery Xavier lived in the ward and owned a beautiful house, which has since been demolished to make way for the structure of the People’s High School. He left behind many books that throw light on the history of Goa, and very importantly, that of the village Comunidades of Goa. Having worked in the Government Secretariat as an officer, he made good use of his position where he had access to various documents. He left for posterity a long bibliography of books which includes the ‘Bosquejo Historico das Comunidades de Goa’, and other tomes on history and the judiciary. He was the first Goan to be a member of the ‘Academia das Ciencias de Lisboa’. He was also founder member of the ‘Instituto Vasco da Gama’ and a member of various other literary bodies. Another notable personality, Fr. Casimiro Cristovao de Nazare’s contribution to religious history is unsurpassable. His ‘Mitras Lusitanas no Oriente’ is a catalogue of the priests in the higher echelons of the church hierarchy belonging to the Archdiocese of Goa and its subordinate dioceses, and a summary of notable facts of the ecclesiastical history of the East. He also wrote on the history of the

Religious Orders in the East and their influence on society. To complement the ‘Mitras’, he wrote ‘Clero de Goa’, a book on the Goan clergy and their contribution. He was also founder member of the ‘Instituto Vasco da Gama’. Another resident of Fontainhas, Guilherme Dias who came from the small village of Badem in Bardez, rose to become one of the richest businessmen, with varied business interests, at the beginning of the twentieth century. He was the founder president of the ‘Associacao Comercial de Goa’. His house was donated to the sisters of the Franciscan Order, which demolished the ancestral house to build the present Mary Immaculate Girl’s High School. Another scholar who lived in the ward was Jose Maria de Sa, who also left behind works on the Comunidades of Goa. We also had an educationist in Prof. Venceslau Soares who produced a number of publications on education and pedagogy, not forgetting his interest in the culinary arts. Incidentally, his wife Profa. Lubertina was one of my primary teachers. I would like to mention that another of my primary teachers, Julieta Gomes da Costa e Andrade also lives in the ward. Yet another educationist, Prof. Carlos Xavier published books not only on sports, but a number of articles on the history of Goa. One cannot forget the contribution of the librarian, Aleixo Manuel da Costa, whose ‘Dicionario de Literatura Goesa’ in three volumes is a must for any library and for those venturing into specialised research on Goa. It goes to the credit of Nanu Pednekar, a social activist of the time, that Fontainhas had the first public library of the city, the ‘Shri Mahalaxmi Prasadik Hindu Vachan Mandir Library’, that completed its centenary in 2007. The road from Percival Noronha’s house upto the spring is named after Pednekar. Octogenarian Percival Noronha’s family settled in the ward from the 1930’s after having

returned from Africa. He joined the Portuguese government and, after Liberation, retired as Undersecretary of Health, having occupied different positions in the administration. What is to be appreciated about this gentleman is that although he was a bureaucrat, he developed a love for history and architecture, and through diligent scholarship earned proficiency on things Goan. There is a beautiful chapel dedicated to St. Sebastian through which the ward is also known as the ward of St. Sebastian. This chapel houses the historical relic, the Cross of the Inquisition. It was befitting for a ward where music and dance was a way of life to have the first school of music established by the Portuguese Government, the ‘Academia de Musica’ in the house of Fr. Casimiro Cristovao de Nazare, which unfortunately was razed to erect another ugly building. Fittingly, the history of Goa is housed in Fontainhas, rightfully selected by the Portuguese to house the Archives of Goa. In 1952, the building of ‘Arquivo Historico de Goa’ was inaugurated. The old structure gave way to the new building of the Goa Archives. The ‘Ninho Infantil’ of the ‘Provedoria de Assistencia Publica’ was also located next to the Archives. This institution looked after destitute children. Today, the offices of the ‘Provedoria’ function from this building. The locality is also something of a schooling centre. Besides Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, People’s High School, Mushtifund and Hegdewar High School are located in Fontainhas. Though the government has declared Fontainhas as a conservation area, the houses on the Ourem road facing the creek do not come under the purview of the area. This has led to multistoried buildings replacing the beautiful old houses, all in the name of ‘progress’.

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

One of the most enduring faces on Goa’s political scene, Member of Parliament FRANCISCO SARDINHA chats with VIVA GOA about his mando days, reminiscing on life before politics and how he holidays while still on the move

On Music, Football, Food… and Teaching

rancisco Sardinha is a politician with a difference. The only person from Goa to have held the posts of Member of Parliament, Chief Minister, Speaker, Cabinet Minister and Leader of the Opposition, he is looking forward to being inducted in the Union Cabinet by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. As he shuttled between Goa and Delhi, VIVA GOA caught up with ‘Fancoon’, as he is affectionately called by friends, to gauge how he takes time off from the daily grind. On his leisure activities I’m very fond of gardening, Anthuriums are my favourite. At my ancestral house in Curtorim, I have a larger garden to grow them in compared to the one here at my Dona Paula house. I was also a sportsman during my college days. I played senior division soccer for several years. In the ongoing World Cup, I’m rooting for England to win, although they are a bit unlucky. I was a volleyball player and I enjoy watching cricket, but only when India plays. I’m still the Chairman of the Athletic Federation of Goa. Keeping fit is an essential part of my daily routine.

On food and music I’m a food connoisseur, but there is no particular cuisine that takes my fancy. I’m a good eater and I’m fond of Goan specialties like vindaloo, sausages, recheado and calamari. Music is dear to my heart. I mainly enjoy listening to instrumentals. When I was younger, I used to take part in the mando festival. In 1974-75, I bagged the first prize. I clearly remember that competition was very tight from Benaulim, Loutolim, Margao, and Fontainhas. In 1974, I was honoured to sing in the presence of the President of Portugal Mario Soares. Besides singing, teaching was another passion of mine. I taught from 1967 to 1980 at St Xavier’s Institute, Curtorim. Even as an MLA, I continued to teach as we were

By EMYLOU D’SOUZA

permitted to do so. I taught Geometry, Algebra, Physics and Chemistry to the ninth and tenth standards. Then, I became a minister.

On his work and social life You live only once. No doubt everybody works, but after that you have to engage in something you enjoy as long as it is objective and not objected to by others. After work, I don’t entertain work-related phone calls, except if it’s an emergency. In my book, an emergency has no rules or limitations as far as time is concerned. I enjoy when I work and I work when I enjoy – I’m always on the move. After the Parliament session, I attend various Parliamentary meetings of the committee in which I am the Chairman. I am not very fond of holidays, except when I’m with my family. On my last trip to the UN, I was accompanied by my wife Columba, a teacher at Don Bosco’s, Panaji, and in between I also took some time off. If even in the rare instance I do decide to take a holiday, I make sure it’s only for a week, never more. His message to young Goans One must have discipline if you want to come up in life. And one must sacrifice and work hard because success only comes if you have confidence and confidence only comes if you are successful. There are numerous so-called organizations that are managed by people who only see the negative side of things. Youngsters must follow people who are positive thinkers. They should remember that only those who work and strive to do something for others are remembered. On giving back to society Society has given me so much love and

consideration, hence it is my bounden duty to give something back. Whether in terms of my work or otherwise - if there is anything I can do for anybody, I never hesitate. As far as the political side is concerned, my MP-Local Area Development (LAD) scheme concentrates on value-added education, providing students with computers and LCD projectors. This month, I will inaugurate a playground at Chandor, another one is also coming up at Dabolim. Although all the MPs have requested an increase in funds, there is still a constraint. However, if that comes through, then we will have a better chance of fulfilling our duties to society. Hopefully, the government increases the budget of the MP- LAD Fund for the betterment of Goans and Goa.

PIC BY EDRIC GEORGE

AFTER HOURS

BIZ NOTES

D WORL CUP IAL SPEC

Sony, Coke Leverage World Cup Initiatives in Goa

orld Cup frenzy has struck the world, and Goa is no exception. As we near the kickoff for the finals, the action on the field has left millions in thrall. But, behind the scenes there is a business side to the Cup, as the FIFA partners vie for their own goal: maximum exposure and brand recognition through TV and print advertisements, billboards and hoardings, in-house and shop promotions and generous freebies in the state to hike sales. VIVA GOA looks at two major partners of the world’s biggest sporting spectacle, the FIFA World Cup, that have a major presence in Goa and have rolled out their marketing initiatives by activating their novel campaigns.

Brands not only activate their biggest marketing initiatives in Goa to increase sales, but also grab an opportunity to strengthen their position in the state with their sponsorship for the World Cup

Sony India’s Initiative Goa, like Bengal and Kerala, is football country. It comes as no surprise then that the state is one of Sony India’s major beneficiaries of promotional initiative for the FIFA World Cup. Sony hopes to make a real contribution to the great sport of football around the world through a long-lasting partnership programme with FIFA. This association gives Sony the unique opportunity to associate with the emotional excitement of football and also enables the company to show billions of people around the world the many ways in which Sony makes life fuller and more exciting. Masaru Tamagawa, Managing Director, Sony India, explains, “Coinciding with the rapidly growing consumer interest in football, Sony will further capture the excitement for millions of football fans in Goa by distributing free FIFA football replicas with BRAVIA LCD TV. In alignment to our regional marketing strategy, this promotional offer is a recognition of the vibrant spirit of the people of Goa.” Sony India is one of the most recognized

consumer electronics brand in the country, with a reputation for new age technology, digital concepts and excellent after sales service. In India, Sony has its footprint across all major towns and cities through a distribution network, in Goa, this Japanese multinational has three exclusive Sony showrooms at Panaji, Margao and Mapusa, a network of 16 dealers and two service centres spread across the state. Goa Wins Along with Sony, Coca-Cola India has undertaken the FIFA World Cup 2010 activation to leverage the popularity of football in these and other football crazy states and cities, including Kolkata and Bangalore where public screenings of key FIFA World Cup matches have been organized. Through a lucky draw, 15 consumers have won the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness live action of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Additionally, 14 consumers from Goa, Kolkata and Bangalore get a chance to win a trip to the World Cup. Coca-Cola has been one of the longeststanding corporate partners of FIFA, with an official sponsorship of FIFA World Cup that began in 1978. To its credit, the company has had stadium advertising rights at every FIFA World Cup since 1950. Now the same rights have been extended to another 16 years i.e. until 2022. Joyonto Chaudhury, General Manager, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd says,

“Our association with Goa Football Association is an extension of the Company's worldwide focus to promote sports and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle. We believe that great football talent exists in Goa and we need to identify and nurture it through interesting initiatives such as the Coca-Cola Celebration Cup. The Coca-Cola Company has been a longstanding partner with the FIFA World Cup and several other global football tournaments.”

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

‘Relationships Work on Understanding, Adjustment and Mutual Respect’ Dr Pramod Dilip Salgaocar, the former Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women for three terms and Director of two pharmaceutical companies has the right remedy to uphold women’s rights in the State

PIC BY OLENCIO COUTINHO

n Alumni of Goa Medical College and after winning several laurels in the medical field including the Dr Ernest Borges Memorial Medal for her top rank in Surgery from Bombay University, Dr Pramod Salgaocar’s life took a different turn when she wholeheartedly devoted her life to Social Work and Women’s Rights. She was Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women for three terms, covering a period of over ten years. She has fought tirelessly over women’s issues with a plethora of women’s organizations and self-help groups, combating problems like alcoholism, gambling, domestic violence and crimes against women. She has worked with several NGOs and has been actively involved with the National Commission for Women, the Lawyer’s Collective and other organizations. In the GSCW (Goa State Commission for Women) she has literally helped thousands of women in distress across Goa with the support of the Goa Government. “The protection of the rights of women and children is the duty of the State and the community. Education is the only vaccine against violence,” she says emphatically. What makes this remarkable woman tick? She says, “I’ve always been alive to human and women’s rights and have worked with the media and the Indian medical association on issues of patients’ and doctors’ rights while also being alive to the political issues facing Goa.” In the midst of all these activities, she ably assists her industrialist husband Dilip Salgaocar, a multi-faceted personality who is involved in the Rotary movement of Goa, being a former District Governor. He is a patron of the Indian Red Cross Society, Goa Branch where he served as Chairman for two consecutive terms. Dr Salgaocar is also the busy Director of Geno Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. “It’s always a tightrope walk,” she says. “Striking the right balance between work and family, and in my case between company work, social work and family. But the family always comes first.” She adds, “But I am very passionate about human and women’s rights and it is very satisfying if I can contribute to creating a society which respects the rights of the individual. Women constitute 50 per cent of our workforce and must therefore be treated as partners in our development process.” It is no surprise that she fully supports the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament reserving one-third of the seats for women both in the Lok Sabha and in the State Assembly. She asserts, “Women are ready for it, for sure. Women have been politically conscious at the grassroots level and reservations are required for us because of the criminalization, money and muscle power which has prevented women from a fair representation in decision making bodies. For centuries, Indian women have been subjugated by a patriarchal society. Through the 73rd and 74th Amendment, it has become possible for the average woman to

vi Naik ingh Rane and Ra nia Gandhi, Prataps So th wi ar oc lga Pramod Sa

participate in the political process.” Among the attitudes she most values in men, is ‘gender sensitivity’. “Any relationship, including marriage,’’ she says, “Works on understanding, adjustment and mutual respect. Only one per cent of marriages have couples made for each other—the rest have partners who have to work towards making the marriage successful. In most marriages, it is the woman who adjusts to the demands of marriage and family. But times have changed and if we are to bring down the divorce rate, men have to be aware of the rights of women and about the Pramod and Dilip Sa need to have a lgaocar with their so daughter-in- law Pa n Dr Sagar, llavi and grandson democratic Shivam setup in the family. Even in progressive Goa, women suffer from gender bias.” But this may become a thing of the past when more women follow Dr Pramod Salgaocar’s pathbreaking footsteps.

LEGAL BRIEF A regular column on the legal system in Goa

Atmaram Nadkarni is a Senior Advocate and former Advocate General of Goa

The Laws of

Justice dispensed by even the wisest judges may not always be correct, but the Cosmic Laws of the Universe are perfect

he Law of Karma is based on the Principle that what you sow so shall you reap. Invariably, mythological texts explain it in terms of the Law of Cause and Effect in which the Cause refers to the ‘Deeds’ or actions and the Effect to the ‘Consequences’ subsequent to those deeds or actions. Indeed, in the spiritual realm there is no religion, but only one God. Karma basically is the Art of learning to live. This Law of Cause and Effect is meant to and intends punishing persons where they go wrong and to make oneself understand one’s errors from the level of the soul. In normal parlance, it is always said that God’s Justice is perfect and no one can escape it. It is certainly true that God has made Laws by which he governs the entire Universe and the human race which has it’s head on its shoulders and thus has a duty, being a part of his creation, to follow those Laws.

KARMA

Positive action Karma can basically be classified into ‘Positive’ or ‘Negative’. They are negative or bad when you are required to face the consequences of negative actions; while positive karma invests you with spiritual blessings that will come you way due to positive actions or selfless good deeds. In God’s system of Administration of Justice there are no exceptions or preferences. Neither is there any discrimination between the rich, poor or the highly placed unlike in the present day system of administration where everything works on palm greasing. The Laws in

today’s world in our system of governance are meant to be followed by everyone but in the practical realm the rich and famous, the mighty and moneyed, have set their own laws to govern themselves in matters of acquiring permissions or licences or getting their work done. There is an unwritten rule of preference in favour of certain elements who are all too willing to break the law. Such actions also create a negative set of Karma, and in God’s system of Justice these people often get punished but only when the time is right and ripe for them to undergo such punishment.

The Law of Karma is probably as deep as the ocean and there are many features and several variants to this vexed science. The science is universal. All religions in some form or the other admit to the Law of Cause and Effect, good deeds and bad deeds or a similar principle. They may vary but by and large the principle is the same

Some politicians indulge in corruption at the highest and lowest levels and the money accumulated by them is at times spent on charity through donating huge sums to the best of causes. Perhaps they believe that the Negative Karma created by indulging in corruption can be wiped out by such donations to charities. The truth is otherwise.

Thought and deed Once you indulge in Negative Karma, there is no way that it can be wiped off. The Law will ensure that you undergo punishment for the negative deed and neither God nor even a Spiritual Guru can wipe off the Karma created. Negative and Positive Karmas do not normally wipe each other out. Creation of good Karma has to be done in a perfect manner, not just by mere thought or only deeds but by both thought and deed working in harmony with each other. To take an illustration, a corrupt politician having accumulated disproportionate assets and amassed huge wealth at the cost of the public exchequer and public coffers, indulges in generous charity, doling out donations to charitable Institutions. He believes that by such actions his bad Karma will be wiped off. But this is a misconception. Such persons will never find salvation. The Deed is good undoubtedly, but the motive is not. Indeed, one should forget good deeds and never even keep a score of them. The records are kept elsewhere. Negative Karmas are created by hurting oneself or others through untruthfulness, tolerating the wrong behaviour of negative souls, encouraging evil, avoiding responsibility, encouraging

others to follow the wrong path, spoiling children whether their own or of others, failure to fulfil your mission on earth, committing suicide, not taking action when the laws require you to do so, wanting to have fun at the cost of another and many such similar ways. The Law of Karma is probably as deep as the ocean and there are many features and several variants to this vexed science. The science is universal. All religions in some form or the other admit to the Law of Cause and Effect, good deeds and bad deeds or a similar principle. They may vary but by and large the principle is the same. There are people who are given the authority to wield power; others endowed with wealth; individuals gifted with talent and yet others who have the power to forgive. The Universe and Cosmic energy silently and closely watches them to see whether those in power are using it for the greater good, whether the rich spend their money to change society for the better or only to change their own lives; whether the talented use their gifts to create light or darkness or whether some resent the one causing them pain or forgive them. Mockery of justice In the temporal world, matters of the Court, litigations and dispensation of justice are all functions which have a divine colour. Imagine, a Judge deciding a matter has to at all times to keep his subconscious mind open, for even the slightest wrong judgements would earn him the wrath and consequences which he or she might not have even been able to imagine. The same holds true for the litigant. In our country, statements on oath in the form of an Affidavit have made a mockery of Justice. Not only individuals, but even corporates, institutions, societies, and to top it all, Governments of the day file incorrect and false Affidavits contending false statements, little realising that it may fetch them some relief for the moment but creates a huge block of obstacles in times to come. It is unfortunate that this tendency to file false affidavits is encouraged by the liberal attitude of some Judges in condoning such false statements. There are indeed a few systems in certain countries wherein even a single false or incorrect statement made on oath before the Court would entail dismissal of even the best of causes. Our Honâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ble Supreme Court had to remind the importance of this through a Judgement that â&#x20AC;&#x153;a person who approaches the Court with falsehood has to be summarily thrown out of the Courtâ&#x20AC;?. This is neither completely nor factually practiced, thereby creating more Karmas at different levels. Justice dispensed by even the wisest and best of Judges may not always be correct but the Cosmic Laws in this Universe are perfect and Justice administered as a result of these Laws is apt and true. This Justice comes in the form of Karma.

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INTERIORS/ EXTERIORS

Take Me Home…’ ‘Country Roads,

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

Rehana and Haroon Ebrahim’s home in Taleigao, conceptualized as a farmhouse, is in reality a dream mansion

aroon has definite reasons to sing when on his way home from work. Sitting on a little knoll surrounded by tamarind trees, this lavish mansion was conceptualized primarily as a farmhouse. Recalls Haroon Ebrahim, a successful builder and furniture dealer in Goa, “We wanted to build a farmhouse here. But the serenity of the place, the chirping of the birds and the inviting breeze drove us to make our decision of staying permanently in this farmhouse.” “This abode derives its shape from an unusual geometry of straight and curved lines. The walls are of exposed laterite, giving it a rustic feel, but the details are highly stylized conveying a grandeur which flows with the curving geometry,” says Architect Gerard da Cunha who has designed this exquisite piece of architecture. The curvilinear shape of the house suits the farmhouse tag and the elements of exposed laterite, the trefoil arches and the blue china mosaic roof with 'alief' pattern lends a whimsical note to traditional architecture. The large entrance gate with a curved wall decorated with colonial columns in white, mark the entry to what lies beyond. A curved driveway leads you to the porch distinguished by an arched door with a white plaster band around and flanked on either side by niches done in red stone brought all the way from Jaipur. A small chest lies beneath as if to signify “The treasure’s here!” Haroon’s wife Rehana adds, “I wanted a

huge garden as I like gardening and Haroon wanted a big house. We got both. I am very happy with the final outcome. We wanted a sprawling house on the ground floor itself. So only our son’s bedroom and a couple of guest rooms take position on the first floor.” She has developed the garden herself and maintains it with equal passion. The foyer with its high ceiling and woodwork reminiscent of the Portuguese influence conveys an aura of the spaces to follow. A large living room with multiple seating areas done exclusive of each other is tailor made for exquisite furniture. Cozy little chairs with a centre table placed in between sits across a huge opening overlooking a Zen style court that filters in the outdoors. And at the far end of the living is the dining space which shows off a remarkable collection of oriental furniture and tall Chinese vases. The dining chairs shaped like Bishop Chairs bring about a confluence of varied styles into this large space. “The mansion like look was a definite requirement of the client. We decided to do the interiors in a ‘fusion’ style – a bit of renaissance and a period with a predominantly rustic feel. We had to give him the luxurious home, keeping the architectural style in mind and the basic concept of a farmhouse,” recalls designer Karim Furniturewala who had been assigned the interior job. On the other side of this space is a large verandah that opens out into one of the best sights that one has ever seen in this city--the pool and the landscaped lawns form a perfect background, or should I say foreground to this heavenly mansion. Far ahead lies a pond filled with clear water and frolicking ducks and other avian friends. “All water for gardening is used from this man-made pond. It is the most refreshing element on our property”, says Rehana. Moving to the family area of the house, one passes through a corridor lined with arched colonnades overlooking a courtyard done in a china mosaic pattern, recreating a blue spiral

against a yellow background. On the other side, the wall has been decorated with niches and the yellow of the ceiling dramatizes the whole experience. This family space also has a separate private entrance with an independent porch accessible some distance away from the main door. A bifurcated staircase takes you from the family space to the upper floors where the son’s bedroom and two guest rooms are located. The railing for these stairs have been exquisitely detailed and made to order, done from cast metal and treated with rustic paint. And to go with it are these green shaded columns. Haroon found them on the outskirts of Delhi and decided to use them in his house. And it has blended perfectly into the setting and complements the stairs and the railing. The master bedroom is a fairly large room with an independent walk-in wardrobe and toilet. The fair height of the ceiling along with its tall French windows that lead out to a verandah, make a perfect setting for the large four-post bed. In sync with the bed are antique styled bedside tables, dresser and other pieces of furniture. No wonder Haroon and Rehana feel like royalty in this wonderfully crafted bedroom. Haroon has added another small annex to this room which houses his personal gym and a resting space, but this is in complete contrast to the antiquity of the bedroom. Their daughter’s bedroom has been done in a more contemporary style and has a beautiful shade of pink on one wall that easily classifies the feminine texture of the room. A huge soft toy and a doll

lolling in one corner of the room fit in cheerfully. The son’s bedroom on the first level too is done in a contemporary style, with one wall splashed in orange to brighten up the look. And the furniture has been detailed in weathered wood that still manages to live up to the aura of the mansion. The three guest rooms are dressed in elegant pieces of antique furniture, each one vying for equal attention. Each room has an arched window overlooking the lawns. As a matter of fact, all the rooms enjoy the luxury of a wide open view of the scenic lawns, the pool and the pond. On the first level, a corridor leads to an open-to-air terrace with mosaic patterns and surrounded by white columns with a pergola above. Step onto the lawns and you will notice an equal amount of detailing in the landscape to take your breath away. A fine curved pool and a pavilion with balcao seating and cement balusters add charm to the greens. The hard landscape is in harmony with the curvilinear shape of the house and merges well into the soft surroundings. And seated in the pavilion, you can watch the birds that have made the pond their playground. This grandiose edifice that was conceptualized as a farmhouse has in fact become the epitome of a dream house. The classic furniture and the sprawling greens complement the architecture yet bestowing the home with a Goan identity. No little wonder that the family is on song--“Country roads, take me home…” Haroon and Rehana

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

Michelle Banarse is a designer and stylist who has worked extensively in the film and music industry. Apart from working with other designers in India, she also has her own ready to wear range

Effortlessly cool s’ Wendell Rodrick edgy cerise pink and grey dress

c i g Ma

“As the wea ther skies get g gets w e reye r, a g 9er an colou oo d r keep s spir d splas the h its hig h and of the mood up ”

Monsoon

Creativity at its best: The newspaperpatterned umbrella at ‘The Bombay Store’ Brighter the better: colourful umbrellas displayed at Panaji market add a splash of colour to any outfit

ven as the rains take the edge off things, staying cool and comfortable is still a first priority. But cool and loose doesn’t mean shapeless, which is something Goa’s very own Wendell Rodricks has managed to achieve in his timeless pieces for both men and women. His simple loose pants and shirts in white and natural linens are classic pieces and adding colour with beautiful pieces of jewellery always makes an understated piece interesting. His beautiful jersey and long loose silk dresses (my particular favourite is a cerise pink and grey one) manages to keep the edge on but in an effortlessly comfortable way. Think shorts or short. That maxi dress may look great when you leave the house but get caught in a sudden downpour and you might look like something the cat

Loose doesn’t mean shapeless The ‘classic in white look’

Chunky necklaces from ‘Sacha’s Shop’ in Panaji

dragged in, so while long is fine, make sure it isn’t dragging on the floor. And shorts are always easy, whether you’re looking for smart, practical or just plain fun. Stopping at the calf, knee or even shorter, they can easily be dressed up or down. A good pair of denim cutdowns look good any length, be it with a simple tee, a classic kurta, spiky heels or a glamorous off the shoulder top. Of course this season’s staple is a good umbrella and sensible shoes! But this doesn’t mean cutting back on style. For high fashion, ‘Vivien Westwood’ does a great pair of Wellington boots which look great with anything from a ditsy print summer dress to a tank and jeans. They come in four amazing colours, using her famous squiggle design and can be bought online either on her site or at ‘Melissa Shoes’. Head to any good market for a huge choice in umbrellas, the brighter the better. The famous Mumbai-based ‘The Bombay Store’ which recently opened a branch at Fontainhas near Mary Immaculate School, Panaji has an interesting range of designer umbrellas, including one with a newspaper pattern. As the weather gets wetter and the skies get greyer, a good splash of colour keeps spirits high and the mood up. Think colours of summer--coral, cerise pink,

flaming red, burnt yellows. If you’re looking for something unique, check out ‘Sacha’s Shop’ in the heart of Panaji, just off A.B. Road, near ICICI Bank. It’s a funky little boutique on the ground floor of Sacha’s old Portuguese style home, and stocks everything from clothes to furniture and flea market finds. Resort wear by Savio Jon and Anuj Sharma, dresses with bold graphics by Kallol Datta, one-off pieces for jewellery by Pop-Att, recycled bags and much more--she even has underwear in a jar! Her simple shifts and all-in-one jumpsuits in the lightest silk and Italian jerseys are cool comfort in themselves. Wear with a simple pair of chappals in the day and glam up at night with a fab pair of kitten heels. Accessories should be bold and chunky--rings, bracelets and long beads. ‘Sacha’s Shop’ has it all. Sacha, a long time stylist in Mumbai, has brought her experience and set up her shop, and now, lucky for us, has moved back to Goa.

Make-up needs to be simple, barely there for the day, soft bronze and metallics for night, smouldering eyes and nude lips. Go for powders as this absorbs excess oil and sweat. Don’t wear too much lip gloss as it can bleed as temperatures go up. Hair should be simple. A messy bun or ponytail completes that easy comfortable look. But the most important thing to be wearing this season is confidence. If you have the confidence, you can brave whatever the weather may unexpectedly throw at you and pull it off with absolute style and panache. So revel in the madness of the monsoon! Whether it be a crisp white shirt or the joys of a full summer palette, remember there are no set rules… just enjoy!

WELLNESS A regular column featuring the great spas of Goa

Parineeta Sethi is the publisher and editor-in-chief of ‘AsiaSpa India’, ‘Asia Pacific Boating India’, ‘Millionaire Asia India’ and ‘Selling World Travel’. She is an authority on spas and has closely followed the spa culture in Goa

Summer Blues Holidaying in Goa during the rains may not be a time for surﬁng or acquiring a tan. But you can pamper yourself indoors at the Agua Spa at the Kenilworth Beach Resort, Utorda, South Goa

Adieu to

he first monsoon showers have hit the Konkan coast, officially announcing that it’s time to rejoice and rejuvenate. Rains and dampness cause the body to lose lustre. Monsoons are a fabulous time for cleansing not just the body but one’s inner soul as well. Think of sun and sand and probably Goa would be the first name to come to mind. Now there is one more addition to this made for each other combination of sun and sand– spas. Famous for its beaches and cultural heritage, Goa has also been emerging as one of the best spa destinations of the country. Swim, surf or go spa-ing at the Kenilworth

Beach Resort and Spa. You know you are in for a mega treat as soon as you settle into this breathtaking 14 acre oasis. A place dominated by calmness and serenity, which keeps you a million miles away from the pressures and stress of everyday life. An enticing blend of traditional and exotic treatments is on the platter for the exhausted body and mind. A haven of pure bliss, it’s the perfect place to end a hectic week with a bit of winding down. In the fluffiest spa gown and cushioned terry cloth slippers, make your way to your destination – Agua Spa. An awe inspiring view, elegantly appointed rooms, skilled and courteous therapists and a slew of decadent treatments uphold the promise of pure pampering. “Spa treatments and therapies are designed to enhance better living through calming and soothing one’s body and mind. Spas are getaways from the bustle of city life where one can unwind and relax,” says Neelam Singh, Manager, Agua Spa. As you flip over the pages of the extensive spa menu, you will find it difficult to choose a treatment since each therapy sounds so tempting. From soothing massages to enticing envelopes and figure sculpting wraps to tip-to-toe treatments, you can be blissfully bestowed with all of them. Says Chantalle Cropp, General Manager of the Kenilworth Beach Resort & Spa, “The monsoon is the ideal time to indulge and pamper oneself to wash away the summer blues. The Agua Signature Therapy is the right way to start that pampering of pure indulgence. This therapy comprises a combination of sand peeling, hot stone therapy and “chhakra’ healing.” Agua Spa is the place to give this timestrapped world a miss for a few hours. The amazing aroma of the oils will uplift your mood and spirits. Once the therapist gets her hands on you, all your tensions melt away and your eyes will be soothed by views of the sand and the waves. The nerve-calming sound of the waves and the wind will almost be music to your ears. The therapist works on your overwrought muscles with scarcely a word. Unlocking the shoulders, neck, and spine with a soothing massage, the therapist employs a host of techniques—deep-tissue, pressure-point, including reflexology, and a series of hot towels on the feet and neck. All guaranteed to work like a magical balm on body and soul.

The Agua

Signature Therapy is the right way to start that pampering of pure

indulgence. This therapy comprises a combination of sand peeling, hot stone therapy and ‘chhakra’ healing

Chantalle Cropp, General Manager, Kenilworth Beach Resort & Spa

54 35

HOSPITALITY A column which reviews the best hotels in Goa

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

42 36

THE CROWN GOA A Royal View

Its X Factor: The View Still to come: Live Entertainment

anaji, the picturesque city on the banks of the River Mandovi, has the new and the old intertwining in a most graceful combination. Situated in the heart of the city, and capturing the view as no other establishment does is The Crown Goa. The hotel which overlooks the river with an arresting backdrop of Panaji City and the heritage Fontainhas district, enjoys a captivating location, both by day and night. Once the Sun â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Sand Resort, The Crown Goa in its new avatar has recently been taken over by Vision Hotels. Spearheaded by Rajesh Dempo and aided by his elder brother Yatish, under this new ownership, the hotel is undergoing redevelopment. It hosts 43 individual spacious rooms. These range from Superior Rooms to Deluxe, Junior, and Executive Suites. Each of these has its own private view and all are equipped with the latest in room facilities, including flat screen television, high speed broadband, a personal mini-bar and most importantly, a large, outsized comfortable bed.

Chef Bento P Vaz is newly appointed to The Crown Goa. He has wholeheartedly taken on the challenge of the two fine dining restaurants the hotel has to offer its guests. The Harbour Cafe overlooks the hotel’s swimming pool and provides 24-hour service. The Hanging Garden gives guests an opportunity to watch, from a distance, the hustle and bustle of Panjim City while dining. Both restaurants serve a lavish array of Indian and Continental cuisine to suit even the most delicate of palates. The Crown Goa also provides banqueting facilities for large groups, parties, conferences, seminars and workshops. The Customer Relations Representative, with a warm and friendly air, greeted us on arrival. We were escorted to the open air lobby from where we got our first glimpse of the mesmerising view. Sipping on fresh local juice, the formalities of checking in only seemed to last moments and we were accompanied to our room just in time to see the sun setting and day turn to night. With The Crown Goa so centrally situated, we took the opportunity to invite friends for cocktails. They leapt at the opportunity, keen to explore the new and upcoming hotel, its location within the city making it easily accessible. Several hours later, we took our leave of the friendly and efficient staff to venture out into the city for a great night’s entertainment. With so much to choose from how could one resist! Managing Director of The Crown Goa Rajesh Dempo, the grandson of the illustrious Vaikunthrao Dempo, holds a Masters Degree in Management from the UK. Speaking to VIVA GOA he opined, “Hospitality is an integral part of our family culture. Thanks to my family background and values, I have inculcated the culture of looking after people which I will continue to do in the process of diversifying my business. Having sensed that there is a growing dependence of the Goan economy on the hospitality industry, it has prompted me to foray into this area of business. I strongly believe in quality and excellence and I sincerely wish to make my group the best. I do believe that there is always room at the top and I intend to get there.” The Crown Goa’s Consultant Deepak Srivastava who is the former General Manager of INOX, is an old Goan hand

With The Crown Goa so centrally situated, we took the opportunity to invite friends for cocktails. They leapt at the opportunity, keen to explore the new and upcoming hotel, its location within the city making it easily accessible. Several hours later, we took our leave of the friendly and efficient staff to venture out into the city for a great night’s entertainment and is in sync with the pulse of Goa. He plans to promote the spa to the leisure traveller by offering a sample ten minute massage as part of the holiday package, thereby enticing them to go for a full spa treatment. During the Monsoons the hotel has an offer for local Goans, a 'Pamper Yourself ' package in which they can indulge in their favourite treatments at a special price. There is also a combo for ‘Panjimites Day’ which offers usage of the pool, gymnasium, spa and the restaurant at an attractive price. Srivastava’s on-site leadership will breathe a breath of fresh air into the property, bringing in a new and originally designed hotel for all to enjoy. Whether planning a city break, entertaining clients, or enjoying an evening with friends and family, The Crown Goa is the place to go.

37 Rajesh Dempo

Monsoon

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

Whip up some delectable dishes and snacks in the rains

Green Pea Potato Chop

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

Boiled green peas, shelled Potatoes Refined flour Oil Onion, chopped Tomato, chopped Chilli powder Garam masala powder Rice flour Salt to taste

Chanak Hooman

Perch Curry

1 cup 3 (240 grams) 1 tablespoon 2 tablespoons + for deep-frying 1 medium 1 medium ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon 3 tablespoon

Ingredients

Chanak Turmeric powder Ginger-garlic paste Coconut, grated Red chillies, dried Coriander seeds Black peppercorns Oil Onion, chopped Tamarind pulp Coconut milk Salt to taste

6 steaks (600 grams) 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon 2 cups 8 2 tablespoons 20 4 tablespoons 1 medium 4 tablespoons 1 cup

Method

Marinate Chanak steaks in a mixture of salt, turmeric powder and ginger-garlic paste. Set aside for 20 minutes.

Make a fine paste of the coconut, red chillies, coriander seeds, peppercorns and one cup of water.

Method 46 38

1 2

Boil, peel and mash the potatoes. Mix in the salt and flour to make a soft dough. Shape into eight equal balls and set aside.

Heat two tablespoons of oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onions till golden brown. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till soft. Add the green peas, chilli and garam masala powders and salt to taste and cook for two minutes. Remove from heat and leave to cool.

Flatten each potato ball on your palm in to a two-inch round, place one tablespoon of green pea filling in the centre and bring the edges together to make a round patty. Roll in rice flour and deep-fry till golden.

Serve hot with tomato sauce.

Note This is Goa’s Any basic fish curry. be other fish may used instead of Chanak

Heat the oil in a frying pan; add the onion and sauté till it changes colour. Add the ground coconut paste and one cup of water and cook over low heat for two minutes. Add Chanak steaks, tamarind pulp and salt and bring the curry to a boil.

4 5

Stir in the coconut milk and cook for another two minutes.

Serve hot with rice.

Kurkurit Bhende

Crackling Lady’s Fingers

Ingredients

Rissois De Camarao

Prawn Puffs

Ingredients

For the puffs Refined flour Pure ghee, melted Salt to taste For the filling Small prawns, peeled Butter Garlic, chopped Milk Cheese, grated White pepper powder Refined flour Salt to taste Oil for deep frying

1 cup 2 tablespoons

2 cups (300 grams) 2 tablespoons 1 teaspoon ½ cup 4 tablespoons 1 teaspoon 2 tablespoons

Chanak grams) Turmeric powder Ginger-garlic paste Coconut, grated Red chillies, dried Coriander seeds Black peppercorns Oil Onion, chopped Tamarind pulp Coconut milk Salt to taste

6 steaks (600

1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon 2 cups 8 2 tablespoons 20 4 tablespoons 1 medium 4 tablespoons 1 cup

Method

Slice each lady’s finger vertically into four pieces. Sprinkle with some salt and set aside for ten minutes.

Mix together the flour and coriander, cumin, and pepper powders, chopped garlic, peanuts, sugar and half a teaspoon of salt and enough water to make a moderately thin batter.

Note The batter should be thin to get the crispiness

Soak the lady’s’ fingers in the batter for five minutes and deep-fry till golden brown.

Method

For the puffs, mix together the flour, ghee, salt and enough water to make a soft dough. Cover and set aside for 15 minutes.

For the filling, chop the prawns into small pieces, sprinkle with salt and set aside for ten minutes.

Heat the butter in a pan and sauté the garlic till light brown. Add the chopped prawns and sauté for a minute. Add the milk, cheese, white pepper powder and flour and cook over low heat till the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and leave to cool.

4 5

Make 12 small, marble-sized balls of the dough and roll out into three inch rounds (puris).

Place each puri on a flat surface, place one tablespoon of prawn filling on one half and cover with the other half to make a half-moon shape. Press the edges to seal well.

Deep-fry the puffs in hot oil and serve hot.

Makes 12 puffs

HOMING IN A regular column by foreigners who have made Goa their home

Sir Denis Forman moved to Bodiem in Tivim in 1995. Now 92 years old and a keen bird watcher, the Executive Producer of the popular TV serial, ‘The Jewel in the Crown’, looks back on his days in Goa

have had an affection for India ever since I first went there in 1946. I had lost a leg in World War II and when sufficiently recovered the War Office sent me to the Indian Military Academy in Dehra Dun to assist in the handover from the British to the Indian army. It was a fascinating assignment – when I arrived, there were some 30 white faces in the officers' mess and three brown; when I left, there were 30 brown and three white. I visited friends in India several times in the fifties and sixties and then in 1976 my relationship with India was sealed when I embarked on the huge enterprise of turning Paul Scott’s ‘Raj Quartet’ into a television series. During the shooting of ‘The Jewel in the Crown’ I got to know many different parts of India – Udaipur, Mysore, Simla, Mumbai, Bangalore and got some idea of the range and diversity of Indian life and culture. So when in 1990 I married my Indian wife Moni, it was the most natural thing in the world that we should plan to spend at least a part of the year in India. The question was where? She had been born and brought up in Bangalore and had a natural desire to return there, but the pretty city of her youth had become a sprawling conurbation with polluted air and crowded streets, and besides, countryman at heart, I could never happily have lived in a city. We poured over the map of India and decided it must be South, but where? Tamil Nadu? Karnataka? Coorg? Eventually we settled on Goa. One of the factors in its favour was the cheap direct flights from London, affordable by our grandchildren.

So Goa it was. But again where? We decided to build, not buy, and started to look for sites in South Goa. Eventually we found one a few kilometres south of Betul in empty country, on top of a cliff, with a stunning view out to sea and a path down to a little private cove. We negotiated a contract, an architect designed the house of our dreams and then one morning when we were on the point of signing, standing on top of our site I saw a group of six men in white helmets and carrying theodolites and other measuring gear, walking down the path towards the sea. We made enquiries. They were planning a route to an oil rig to be used for training right in the centre of our bay. We quickly pulled out. We then decided to buy not build and turned our attention to North Goa. For several months we looked at many houses, but even the most favoured always had some fatal flaw. We began to despair when one day, the day we were flying back to London, a friendly architect, Gerard da Cunha, rang us to say there was a place in the far north of Bardez that might suit us. ‘But we’re flying out today’, we said. ‘You have just got time to run up there and see it before going to the airport’, he replied. ‘I’ll fix it with the caretaker. He’s called Joey’. We dashed up the highway to Tivim, found the property in Bodiem, but no Joey. He was reputed to be in the church. We went to the church. No Joey. We looked at the house from outside the compound. It was a beautiful old Goan house standing high on an escarpment with a splendid view across a sea of paddy fields. We decided to buy it without further inspection, and this in due course we did.

GOA Crown Jewel in the

By SIR DENIS FORMAN

We moved into Casa Palxem at Christmas 1995, and so began a regime that has continued unchanged ever since--five winter months in Goa (November to March) and seven summer months in London (April to October). One of the first joys of Goa was its birdlife. Casa Palxem has a verandah high above the surrounding countryside with a view over stretches of water, paddies and woodland. From this eyrie each morning from 7.30 to 9 am, I watch birds. Early rising guests are given binoculars and pressed into service, although they may hardly be able to tell a crow from a pigeon. Precise records have been kept, the number of species seen each day and the total number of species seen since bird-watching started. Today the latter stands at 120 and new additions have naturally become increasingly rare. I soon became enchanted by the unknown Goa. Most Goans stick to the developed parts of Goa, the coastal strip and the main towns. How many urban Goans have visited Valpoi, Dodamarg, Sal or Mencuri? Very few. I have always had a keen interest in topography, maps and map-making. As I explored the North Goan hinterland I came to be appalled at the inaccuracy of all the available Goa maps. In most tourist maps the main highway, the NH17, is shown as passing through Mapusa, although it is 20 years since the by-pass was constructed. Villages are often up to five kilometres out of position. Many quite important roads are not marked at all, and those that are, run a wildly inaccurate course. I decided to make my own road maps and set about sketching the roads in the adjacent parts of Bardez, and then more widely across all North Goa. This meant exploring every tarred road, although only through roads were marked on my sketch unless a dead-end road had an important life of its own. Day by day and week by week and month by month, my intrepid driver Shyam and I quartered the ground and in so doing reached many parts where no stranger had ever been before. I developed a love of the several faces of the Goan outback; the villages with the unexpected temples; the still isolated forests; the great green paddies that used to dominate low-lying land and the rivers. I first became interested in the rivers when I discovered at the end of our village a massive tank built with laterite blocks. What could this be? It turned out to be a disused dock, with a channel leading out of it now completely overgrown with bushes and trees. The channel must lead, I reasoned, to the Mapusa river. So I rented a boat in Panjim, came up the Mapusa river past Aldona and on until a lesser waterway forked off to the right. We hacked and ducked our way up this until we came to an even smaller but still negotiable stream which, after ever greater efforts, landed us up in the Bodiem dock. After this discovery I organised boat trips from our village to all the navigable waterways in the basins of the Mandovi and the Zuari. But water-travel is restricted in Goa by lack

of jetties and toilet facilities, (most of the boats available for hire do not have loos aboard). If only those responsible for tourism in Goa would set up a dozen well-equipped jetties at key points in our waterways, Goa could come to rival Kerala in aquatic tourism. At present the potential of the Goa waterways is completely unexploited. We have made many friends in Goa over the years. Nearest and dearest are the brilliant designer Wendell Rodricks and his epicurean partner Jerome Marrell. On the island of Divar, the hospitable and handsome Heredia family, the ex-tycoon Bal Mundker, a Goan sceptic from Mumbai who caused a stir on his arrival in Goa by saying that ‘all Goans are braindead’, an opinion he has since had cause to revise, also Schubert Cotta whose sensitive musicality justifies his given-name; Mario Miranda, the great cartoonist and his wife Habiba – and many others. We have regular visits from our families and have entertained many friends from London, including the late Michael Foot, former leader of the British Labour Party; Simon Jenkins the well-know columnist and one-time editor of the London Times; the late John Mortimer, the famous playwright and author and others from Delhi, Bim Bissell a truly great lady in the more serious stratas of Delhi society, so too Malla Singh and her brother Valmik, who has spent his life in a gallant battle to save the Indian tiger. In Goa I am happy. A swim in the pool at sunrise. Then a pipe smoked on the verandah during bird-watching time. A delicious breakfast of fruit, much of it from the wonderful garden and orchard that Moni has created; a morning spent listening to music or watching an opera on DVD. Perhaps lunch at La Plage at Aswan or at the Alcove at Little Vagator, perhaps at home. In the afternoon a drive with Shyam to check whether the main canal from the Tellari dam has been opened yet; another swim or bath a six; at seven o’clock drinks on the verandah; nine o’clock dinner in the courtyard, pick up a little news on the telly, and so to bed. At the age of 92, what more could a man want?

Sir Denis Forman was Chairman of Granada Television from 1974 to 1987 and Deputy Chairman of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden from 1983 to 1991. He was an Executive Producer on the popular TV serial, ‘The Jewel in the Crown’ and is the author of ‘A Night at the Opera’

HI-TECH Introducing a new column on the latest trends in technology

Innovation and inventions in technology are moving so rapidly that end users ďŹ nd it increasingly diďŹ&#x192;cult to keep apace. The author keys you in on the latest developments

SocialanNetworking d Going Green

RKING and reflecting social SOCIAtwLorkNingEseTrviWceO focuses on building tivities. These Raj Sinai Dempo is a former Lucent Technologies Inc. A Networking Professional from San Jose, California, he is currently Director of R. & D. at Santech Global (APAC region)

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GENETICA

LLY MODIFIE The term GM fo D (G od using the latest is most commonly used to re M) FOODS fer to crop plan molecular biolog ts desired traits su ch as increased y techniques. These plants have created for human or animal co has topped six re nsumption, been modified sis ta nc e to herb bi supply for this llion people and is predicted to icides or improved nutritiona in the laboratory to enhance booming popula l co do nt ub ent. The wor le in the ne tion is going to meet this need. be a major chal xt 50 years. Ensuring an adeq ld population lenge in the ye ars to come. GM uate food foods promise to growing

ed over 60 is ortion of people ag ning fertility rates. cli HEALTHCveAlopRedEcountries around the world, thegeprr op de d an y nc life expecta me and ult of both lon In almost all de ergonomics at ho er age group as a resof aged population requires different system. oth y an n tha ter fas se in the proportion tical and healthcare However, the increa technologically advanced pharmaceu a d an the workplace,

BANDSTAND A monthly feature on Goa’s most popular bands

O8eat and proud of it, retro band ‘bac2basix’ in a candid chat with VIVA GOA

bac2basix

ut goes the mixer and the big personal amplification system. It is the concept, retro band ‘bac2basix’ adheres to. From ‘Funky Town’ to the ‘Police’ to the ‘Bee Gees’, to ‘Bon Jovi’ and ‘4 non-blondes’, retro music from the 70’s and 80’s is their repertoire. “It’s a raw kind of sound,” says lead guitarist Jude Mascarenhas who is also the group’s male vocalist. “This is how it was done years ago and somehow, we have complicated our lives by making everything more electronic.” Formed by musicians from other bands like ‘Alcatrazz’ and ‘Tidal Wave’, the commercial aspect is given its due preference, but if there is time left over, then ‘bac2basix’ it is. But doesn’t that compromise on the frequency of gigs? “That’s the kind of understanding we have,” says Jude. “We cannot play as many shows as we would like to. The last one was just before Easter and the next will be at the end of May. The reason being, every weekend we have tied up with Goa Marriott. But we have to find a way around that.” ‘Fiplees’ in Benaulim, ‘Lava Lounge’ in Vasco and their regular Saturday night performance at ‘AZ.U.R’ at Goa Marriott are ideal venues for this indoor band. Their sound, set-up and the closeness with the audience contribute to this. “However, we are not a wedding band,” says ‘bac2basix’s’ guitarist and keyboard player Cassius Fernandes. “We are a party band, though initially we had started off as a pub band.” “Somewhere down the line, we may do weddings,” adds Jude. “But, playing

Lives up to its name—and more

‘Here Comes the Bride’-- sorry, there’s nothing of that sort. Our ideal gig would be for an informal party.” “There are enough people in Goa who appreciate their music,” he says. “Whenever people go for a show, they end up listening to groups which play the same songs – mainly the latest ones.” For instance, if a band spots two or three youngsters in the crowd and although 80 per cent of the gathering are 50 plus, in comes the latest numbers, even if it’s for a 70-yearold birthday celebration. “Essentially, our kind of audience would be people above 30 who really identify with the song after having listened to it when growing up. Surprisingly, there are a lot of youngsters who still listen to us play, which although strange, is very encouraging,” says Jude. The idea behind this offbeat band was conceived after ‘bac2basix’s’ bass guitarist Diego Fernandes’ persistence to do things a little differently. “To play music that we like and to break the mould where other bands play a set song is our aim,” adds Cassius. “We are an offbeat band, but not as much as ‘2sharp2bflat’ – that was made up of only three instruments – guitar, bass and drums. With ‘bac2basix’, we also have our drummer, Tony Fernandes of ‘Tidal Wave’ and Sandra Fernandes is our female vocalist. We’ve tried out level best to learn from ‘2sharp2bflat’,” says Jude. Rehearsals are normally in the morning and are organised to the last detail. “We don’t want that chalta hai kind of image. Although we may appear to be a laid back outfit, we are far from that. Our crew comprises three

boys who have their own uniforms everything is very proper,” says Jude. “There’s a lot of talk about synchronizing. I endorse it fully” he adds. “It is insane that people talk against it. In Goa, we don’t have the luxury of hiring an orchestra for a song like ‘November Rain’. You have to sequence parts that can’t be done by the band, it’s ridiculous to avoid it.” “Some bands,” he continues, “take it to another extreme when they sequence an entire song, and that, in a way, is also stupid. You aren’t a musician if you synchronize everything,” he says. The most memorable event ‘bac2basix’ played in was for the Radio Indigo anniversary at ‘Lava’. There were some musicians in the crowd, good friends of the band who actually came around to check if they were synchronizing or not. “That, for us, was the best compliment we could have received,” says Jude. Jude is sanguine about the future of the band. He feels that their best is still to come and that they have only been held back because they haven’t played enough. He believes that one should get away from being a slave to technology. “You loose sight of what counts,” he says. “Take you’re foot off the electronic pedal and concentrate on the real aspect of the band - the music you are playing. The song is supreme. Very often, musicians are more preoccupied with parts rather than the whole song. Ultimately, it’s the song that has to sound great -- it’s not about the lead solos or double bass, or how many thousands or millions of notes you can play in a second.”

GUEST COLUMN

At Home

in the USA

MANOJ M. CACULO on a recent trip to the US ﬁnds fellow Goans in ﬁne fe9le and as hospitable as ever

Nina and Rajiv Prabhu

oans have always been tagged with adjectives such as susegad, tolerant, hospitable, lively and so forth. And why shouldn’t they be? For us Goans have this inimitable and infectious quality of making friends and assimilating into any culture, race or nationality. Goans may live in any part of the world but not only will they retain their distinct identity but also leave an indelible Goan aura around them to make the place a true home away from home. On my recent trip to the US, I had the opportunity to meet and spend some quality time with three Goan families, a couple of them whom I had known earlier and one I was meeting for the first time. Although I, along with my two sons and my wife, did not stay with any of them, we felt truly welcome in the typical Goan way.

It was amazing to note that none of them had lost their Goan flavour despite being in the USA for over a decade and having embraced US citizenship. Be it the Konkani spoken by their US-born kids or the taste of prawn curry or their polite and courteous nature, all their actions were permeated with a Goan flavour and made us think as if we were back in Goa. Ashish Naik now might call himself ‘Ash’ but still ensures his seven-year-old son Arnav attends Ramayana and Mahabharata classes. His wife Shama may work in a multinational company but still has a dedicated pooja room in their spacious house and does not forget the holy chants before leaving. The American accented Konkani of Arnav is oddly soothing to the ears and a gentle reminder that we Goans will always be Goans. The six-hour long drive from Troy, Michigan where Ashish stays to Niagara, gave us ample

After enjoying the 'Maid of the Mist' trip at Niagara Falls, Manoj, Meghna, Ashish and Shama are all smiles

time to dissect the Goan way. Their unbridled curiosity on the latest happenings, be it in politics, the party scene, functions, or just gossip, was intact. We Goans traditionally spend a lot of time on these kinds of discussions, and being repetitive is obviously no barrier! Ashish, in fact, will be very much part of the 10th Biennial Goan Convention early this month in Secaucus, New Jersey, just minutes away from New York City. The convention provides a networking platform for Goans around the world and strives to pass on the baton to future generations. I’m sure it will be a memorable affair. As memorable as Ashish’s cooking who has taken it on himself to make Goan food prepared by men, popular on the net. His YouTube videos are ample testimony to his culinary efforts. I have known Neena Singbal since my school days. She is now settled in Aurora, an hour’s drive from Chicago with her husband Rajiv Prabhu and their American born children, a son and a daughter. We had never met Rajiv before, but were pleasantly surprised to see him receive us at their home, having taken a day off from work. Only a Goan can be so hospitable. Their beautiful house in a cosy locality provided the perfect ambience to spend the day till well past lunch time. Needless to mention, Goan gossip was at the top of the agenda. And the ladyfish and curry served, made you forget you were away from home.

The warmth

bestowed by this Goan family on fellow Goans was totally unexpected. Their four children, Rohan, Rahul, Vishy and youngest daughter Rhea have had a typical Goan upbringing. Their respectful and friendly behaviour was nothing but true Goan. The boys playing ‘Xbox’ with my sons or Rhea offering to switch her favourite TV channel to CNN for us… that, was

true Goan character The third family we met, Tanuja and Prashant Prabhudesai, also epitomised true Goan hospitality. Ashish and Neena I had known since childhood, so it was kind of expected to receive a warm welcome from their respective families. But the Prabhudesai’s made us feel so much at home that I blessed all Goans living abroad. Having learnt from a work colleague that I would be in the US, Tanuja contacted and invited us

over to their house in Edison, New Jersey. Despite our being hard pressed for time, we did not want to refuse their invitation. A day before our departure from New York for Goa, Prashant picked us up and drove for over an hour to his sprawling eight-bedroom home in Edison. Frankly, we did not know what to expect that evening as we were meeting the Prabhudesai family for the first time. But we were in for a pleasant surprise. The warmth bestowed by this Goan family on fellow Goans was totally unexpected. Their four children, Rohan, Rahul, Vishy and youngest daughter Rhea have had a typical Goan upbringing. Their respectful and friendly behaviour was nothing but true Goan. The boys playing ‘Xbox’ with my sons or Rhea offering to switch her favourite TV channel to CNN for us… that, was true Goan character. Starting the evening with onion pakoras over tea and savouring the authentic rava fried prawns, the evening was truly memorable. To cap it, Tanuja and Prashant drove us all the way back to Manhattan to drop us at our hotel. Such generous gestures left a permanent imprint on our minds on how a Goan will never lose his identity and sense of hospitality, irrespective of where he settles. On our long flight back, along with fond memories of a wonderful time spent in the USA, what lingered in my mind was that you can never take Goa away from a Goan. VIVA GOA!

3G MOBILE SERVICES LAUNCHED IN GOA BIZ NEWS

Whether it’s video calling, downloading music, playing online games or even watching live TV while on the move, broadband subscribers in Goa will now have access to all these services on their mobile phones

‘Download Happiness with 3G’

igh speed, trendy, not to mention revolutionary, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is the first mobile operator in India to launch 3G services. And Goa is the third city in the country to receive this mobile service after Poona and Nasik. How is 3G different from existing mobile services? Well, it enhances multimedia, high speed internet with download speed up to 3.6 Mbps, entertainment and the ability to view video footage on a mobile handset. Alok Kaul, Chief General Manager, BSNL, Maharashtra & Goa circles who is the architect of this initative said “The 3G service will bring about a revolution in the business and entertainment sectors in Goa. The internet has already changed the way business functions. 3G will take the business sector to another level.” Speaking to VIVA GOA G. R. Ravi, General Manager, Telecom, Goa feels that this technology will be highly beneficial to IT savvy people in Goa. “Within two days of the launch, we already had 2000 customers. It is a fact that Goa has the maximum demand for broadband,” he says. The biggest constraint, he feels, is the public’s opposition to the setting up of mobile

phone towers. “In terms of coverage, this technology requires a huge bandwidth, so for that, we need more mobile phone towers. At the moment we have 110 in place, but we still need 75 more. As there is opposition to this, we definitely require more public cooperation to make this venture a success,” says Ravi. Although the services offered by 3G and BSNL are independent of each other, both are indispensable. 3G is perfect for a person on the move, while BSNL is ideal when at work or at home. 3G services are available for both, postpaid and prepaid customers and for existing 2G subscribers. As an introductory offer, customers can avail of trial packs and other limited promotional schemes. It also offers high-speed mobile internet access for PCs and laptops through the USB Data Card subscription. The 3G mobile service was inaugurated in North Goa on 24th June by CM Digambar Kamat and North Goa MP Sripad Naik at Cidade de Goa, Dona Paula. And in South Goa on 26th June by MP of the Rajya Sabha, Shantaram Naik, and MP of the Lok Sabha, Francisco Sardinha at Nanutel Hotel, Margao.

A7er ‘Faces’, it’s ‘Chehere’

HAPPENINGS Gautam Rajadhyaksha’s new coffee-table book was recently released at a star-studded function in Mumbai

autam Rajadhyaksha, renowned celebrity photographer who wrote the first cover story on the Mangeshkar family for VIVA GOA, recently published a Marathi coffee-table book, Chehere, at a star-studded function held in Mumbai. Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar released the book of famous Indian faces in the presence of other Bollywood celebrities. The idea stemmed from one of Gautam’s earlier picture exhibitions, Chehere, held in 2000, which travelled to several cities across India, including Panaji. At each of these venues he was asked, ‘Why not a book in Marathi?’ Even on chat shows and other appearances, there was a similar demand, thus ‘Chehere’ was conceived. Speaking to VIVA GOA, the ace photographer said, “Unlike Faces, my coffe-table book on the Indian Film Industry in English, which was primarily a photographic book, Chehere has 60 per cent of affectionate memories and personal insights, and 40 per cent of what I consider to be their most representative pictures that I have photographed.” Rajadhyaksha also acknowledged the indispensable contribution of the publisher, the ‘Valuable Group’ which owns ‘UFO’, the pioneer in beaming films to theatres and TV screens via satellite.

G Jaya Bachchan greets Gautam Rajadhyaksha

Kajol with Gautam Rajadhyaksha

Lata Mangeshkar releases ‘Chehere’ along with author Gautam Rajadhyaksha, in the presence of Ameya and Manasi Hete, Mrs Sanjay Gaikwad and Narendra Hete

Kajol with Hema Malini and Padmini Kolhapure

Rekha with Hema Malini

Asha Bhonsle in a tête-à-tête with Rekha

An affectionate moment: Gautam and Rekha

HAPPENINGS

The Governor of Goa Dr S. S. Sidhu presenting the TTAG flag to the new President of TTAG Gaurish Dhond to applause from CM Digambar Kamat, Ralph de Souza and Ernest Dias

Gaurish Dhond takes over as President of TTAG

TTAG Soirée

fter the installation ceremony of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa’s (TTAG) new committee, which includes Vice Presidents Francisco de Braganca (North) and Manohar Raut (South), Secretary Neeta Sen and Treasurer Nilesh Shah, it was straight to Cidade de Goa’s Grande Sala for the celebrations. Hosted by the incoming president Gaurish Dhond and his wife Pratima, TTAG members and other invitees took time off from the formal agenda for an evening of good and cheerful fellowship.

Cesar Menezes, Dr. Antonio Dalnegro and Cecilia Menezes

Nirupa Angle, Gaurish Dhond, Vivek Angle, Babu Quenim, S. V. Balaram

Ashrafali Nizari

Nikhil Desai

Francisco de Braganca

Terence Nunes, Adolf Fernandes, Luigi Ferrao, Benedict D’Souza, Loretta D’souza and Annie Ferrao

48 Pamela Mascarenhas, Varsha Naik and Swapnil Naik

Arvind Sequeira, Shailesh Sanjgiri, Mahesh Rege and Vivek Pathyan

Renee Mendes, Maura Almeida, Neeta Sen and Martin Joseph

VIVA GOA DIARY

Goa’s new landmark in Delhi

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurates ‘Goa Niwas’ at New Delhi, CM Digambar Kamat, Minsters Ravi Naik and Churchill Alemao look on

Dempo Group partners Amigo Sports for FIFA World Cup merchandise

The Dempo Group, a stakeholder in the sports brand licensing company Amigo Sports, has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Global Brands Group, the master licensee of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) brand globally. Through this agreement, Amigo sports has exclusive rights to manufacturing, multi-channel distribution and retail of official FIFA merchandise across India. The FIFA official store will showcase the FIFA collections, a unique blend of football, fashion and culture. Says Dempo Group Chairman Shrinivas Dempo, “Lifestyle in India is changing to meet the mood of the occasion and events happening around us. With the age profile biased to a Young India, branded apparels and accessories are increasingly associated with the way of life in metropolitan and other urban centers. The retail segment has cashed in on this trend, turning round the corner to register sustained growth and healthy bottomlines.” Shrinivas adds: “The trend is here to stay. Sports lifestyle apparel and accessories are natural extensions of this trend - a hint of which was witnessed during the recent IPL. The launch of FIFA branded apparel and accessories will help Indian football supporters to identify more with the game and the organization that runs it worldwide, feels Shrinivas. He says, “The Dempos have always been passionate about football and have nurtured a playing team for four decades, a team which has risen to the top in India. A business opportunity in retailing football passion evokes a natural interest from us.”

Shrinivas Dempo during a press conference to announce the ‘Amigo Sports’ tie up for FIFA World Cup merchandising

Amit Nayak wins laurels from Yale University

The long awaited new ‘Goa Niwas’ was recently inaugurated by the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in the presence of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Speaker Pratapsingh Rane, cabinet ministers, MPs from Goa and other dignitaries. The new ‘Goa Niwas’ has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 17 crores over a total area of 4195 sq. metres at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi. It has 18 rooms, four suites, four dormitories, conference hall, gymnasium, library, swimming pool, basement room and basement car parking facilities. Objects created by old fishing boats lend a true Goan ambience. The foreground of ‘Goa Niwas’ is dominated by a large sculpture of five palm leaves cast in fibre glass and painted in gold by the Goan artist Dr Subodh Kerkar. The artist says that the sculpture called ‘The Golden Palms’ is like a flag of Goa greeting visitors.

The eleven Goan students who got admission into IIT, seen along with their mentor Vyankatesh Prabhudesai and the faculty of Aryaan Study Circle

11 Goans make it to IIT

11 Goan students this year cleared IIT-JEE (Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination) and have made the State proud. It is a record that after several years, 11 Goans have entered IIT in just one academic year. These bright young achievers include Shivani Nayaka, Neeraj Borker, Saish Kapadi, Rohit Giri, Kaustubh Tilve, Bhargav Joshi, Viraj Parkhe, Sama Batikar, Nikhil Sahakari, Nikhil Tavora and Antariksh Dicholkar. The man behind the success of these students, Vyankatesh Prabhudesai is an IIT-ian himself. He is the founder and mentor of the Aryaan Study Circle which groomed these students and which was established in 2004 in Goa. VIVA GOA hopes these young technocrats shine and contribute in improving the infrastructure of India, and in particular, Goa.

Goa gets new Commissioner of Customs

M. Suresh took over as the Commissioner of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax. He is a Group ‘A’ officer of the 1977 Batch, IRS [Indian Revenue Services (Customs and Central Ecxise)], and has held important posts such as Additional Director, Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI), South Zone, Additional Director General, Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI), Delhi Zonal Unit and Commissioner, Central Excise, Mumbai and Bhubaneswar. He received the All India Samman Award in 1998 and President’s Award in 2000 for Specially Distinguished Services and Devotion to duty.

Amit Ramakant Nayak, a graduate and CAB. COM, A.C.A, from Panaji Goa, has successfully completed his Masters in Business Administration (Finance) from the prestigious Yale University, USA. The graduation ceremony was held in New Haven Connecticut and addressed by former US President Bill Clinton. He had earlier secured the First rank at Goa University for the first, second and third years of B.Com, besides an All India rank for the Chartered Accountancy Final Examination. He is the son of R.G. Nayak and Anuradha Nayak and son-in-law of former Goa Law Secretary B.S. Subbanna and Rajani Subbanna.

VIVA GOA SPOTLIGHT Focusing on Goan Achievers

r Vaishali Talaulicar Vohra from People’s High School and Dhempe College in Panaji, has seen a steep ascent in her academic career as a Post Doctoral Associate from Cornell University, New York, USA and a PhD in Organic and Polymer Chemistry from Pune University and Albert-Ludwigs-Universität in Freiburg, Germany. She began her career as a research scientist in a chemical company called Rohm Haas, and has since then moved to business development roles in the Dow Chemical Company in America after completing her MBA in marketing and finance. On a recent visit to Goa, VIVA GOA got personal with Vaishali

A place that has caught your fancy... Freiburg, Germany. I lived there for about two years during my PhD. Freiburg has left a lasting impression in my life, perhaps because this was my first home abroad away from home. It has a small college town charm wrapped in a modern ambience, nestled in the Black Forest region surrounded by the Alps. One other place that I can’t forget for its breathtaking beauty is the Shaffhausen Waterfalls in Switzerland - a place I would love going back to.

A place you never tire of… ‘Amchi Panji’, my home forever, no matter where in the world I live. This is where my near and dear ones reside. One thing you are most proud of... Being my father’s daughter.

Vaishali Talaulicar Vohra

One thing you miss the most about Goa when you’re in the US I miss my mom and brother, the most. Other things I miss are family and friends, gettogethers for Ganapatti at home, Shivratri at Ramnathi and Christmas celebrations with friends. During the mango season, I miss our Goan mankurad. To sum it up, I always miss the susegad Goan lifestyle and attitude when in the US.

One thing you miss the most about the US when you’re in Goa My dog, Junu, of course… If I’m in Goa during winter, I miss the snowfall and skiing adventures with friends.

One thing you must do when you’re in Goa Visit Ramnathi temple; meet my family, school and college friends and eat ‘bona’ on Miramar beach.

The most intriguing thing you discovered on your travels Indian cuisine is loved universally. In Goa you frequently dine at… ‘Goenchin’, ‘Cidade de Goa’. I also love the ‘Marriott’.

Your future plans Continue to climb the corporate ladder in a Fortune 50 company to get enough experience under my belt so as to lead one such company. To raise a family and dedicate myself to the cause against animal abuse. PIC BY OLENCIO COUTINHO