NO REIS MAGOS ROPE-WAY
THE Goa Tourism Development Corporation has cancelled the tender issued in 2016 for building a rope-way at Reis Magos fort to Campal in Panaji. The project has been pending for the last ten years. On the eve of the parliamentary election Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the rope way. It was meant to be a major tourism attraction.
CM DEFAMATION THREAT
CHIEF Minister Pramod Sawant has threatened to file defamation suits against those making allegation that his wife Sulochana is involved in the cash-for-job scam. While admitting that his wife is involved in politics, the CM insists that she does not interfere in the administration. The threat of filing defamation suits is in response to allegation made by the APP MP Sanjay Singh and the Goa President Amit Palekar, “there is no doubt that we will file defamation suits against all those people who have been making this allegations.” Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate has joined the investigation into the cash-for-job scam.
PORVORIM DUST POLLUTION
THE elevated highway being built at Porvorim is reportedly causing a lot of dust pollution. The worst affected is Succorr which is along the site of the construction of the six-lane highway. The residence of Succorr complain that the water tankers are not sprinkling enough water to prevent the dust pollution caused by the construction of the highway. There are also protests from the residence of Porvorim over the slaughter of trees, including centuries-old banyan trees. It is been reported that 612 trees are to be cut for the six-lane elevated highway corridor. The highway will be constructed by a Rajasthan-based company. The high court of Goa has objected to the hacking of the historical banyan tree.
AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC VEHICLES
NEW company Lords Automative has announced electric two-wheelers costing as little as Rs32,000. But the two-wheeler can only achieve a maximum speed of 25km per hour. This is slower than a bullock cart. These bikes are expected to take the place or be an alternative to bicycles. The company is also offering three-wheelers at the cost of Rs 1.05lakh.
WIFE DRIVES HUBBY TO SUICIDE
THE family of a Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash who committed suicide has accused his former wife and her family of driving him to commit suicide. Apparently, the techie, aged 34, had separated from his wife and was engaged in a battle for custody of their son. In a video, before he committed suicide Atul Subhash accused his former wife and in-laws of harassment.
MARITAL RAPE NOT CRIME
THE Supreme Court has exempted marital rape of women above 18 years from the section relating to rape in the Indian Panel Court. The SC has taken the position that sexual relations are part of marriage and that the husband has a conjugal right over his wife. This is contrary to a long pending demand that women’s consent is needed even after marriage.
CHURCH CHOIRS PROMOTE MUSIC
DURING the Portuguese colonial regime, there were few jobs as there were no educational facilities. Young people could only study up to the equivalent of 10th standard. The exception were the church choirs which trained young Goans in musical instruments like the guitar, piano, drums, etc. This provided opportunities for jobs in the army and the police bands. It also opened opportunities for Goans in the music industry in Bollywood. Goa exported a lot of musicians including Antony Gonsalves, Braz Gonsalves, Chris Perry, Lorna, etc. Goa has also contributed towards Hindi classical and popular music. Lata and Asha Mangeshkar, Jitendra Abhishek and Kishori Amondakar are amongst the musicians of Goan origin.
CARLOS INVOKES RAM
THE Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvaris Ferriera has taken to invoking Lord Shri Ram to get him out of the mess he finds himself in over the sextortion scandal. The BJP held a rally in Panaji demanding that the Aldona MLA should resign over charges that he was involved in an improper relationship with a woman. The belief is that the BJP is trying to tarnish the image of the Aldona MLA. Now Carlos has turned to Shri Ram with a Facebook post.
CITIZENSHIP FOR PAK-BORN GOAN
SHANE Sebastian Pereira, a Pakistan-born Goan has become the second Goan to receive Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act. It may be recalled that the controversial act, which offers Hindus and Christians from Pakistan Indian citizenship, has been extended to Goa. Pereira moved back from Pakistan to his ancestral village in Anjuna four months ago. Pereira has waited for 45 years to get Goan citizenship. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant presented Pereira his citizenship certificate. A group of Goans residing in Pakistan also participated in the exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier.
BRIAN THOMPSON SHOT DEAD
THE CEO of America’s biggest private health insurance executive, Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare, has been shot dead by an angry client. This is in reference to insurance companies denying valid insurance claims at the expense of sick people. The accused is Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old wealthy computer scientist, who has been protesting against malpractices against the health insurance company. In India also health insurance companies have increased premiums very steeply though they do not settle claims and constantly find excuses to deny them.
DROP IN TEMPERATURE
WINTER is finally in Goa with minimum temperature dropping to 21 degrees fahrenheit in Vasco. The minimum temperature in Panaji is down to 23 degrees. It getS particularly cold at night. Humidity levels have also come down and the forecast is that the cold dry weather will continue.
PAPER PACKING OF FOOD
THE Food & Drug Administration has banned packing of food in newspapers. It is pointed out that the packing of particularly hot food in paper bags leads to a run-off in the ink to affect and contaminate food. The FDA has also advised against using styrofoam which is considered toxic. Consumers are also cautioned not to reheat food in plastic ware. Plastic containers should not be used to heat up food in microwaves either.
TASTE OF SOUTH INDIA
HOTEL Delmon is holding a “Taste of South India” festival in their restaurant Tinge between December 13 and 22, 2024. The restaurant will offer both South Indian snacks and dinner meals. The special dishes of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Hyderabad feature on the menu. The number of South Indian food aficionados are growing in Goa.
KALA ACADEMY MUSIC CLASSES
THE Kala Academy is one of the main centres offering training in music in Goa. The academy invites applications from candidates for enrolment in instruments and solo-singing classes in departments of western music. The minimum age for new candidates is seven years and the maximum age is ten years. The Kala Academy also offers training in traditional Indian instruments like the sitar and the drums. A student of the Kala Academy in the music department, Anvika Shankar, is now a full-fledged member of the AR Rahman orchestra. .
SFX EXPOSITION EVENTS
THE St Xavier’s College, Mapusa is holding an international conference on St Francs Xavier. The focus will be on the ancient heritage of St Francis Xavier’s life and times. The seminar has been organized by St Xavier’s along with the Rosary College of Commerce in Navelim from December 12-14 at the St Joseph Vaz spiritual centre at Old Goa. There is also a walk-through story exhibition by the Museum of Christian Art on the holy hill of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa. Fee: Rs1,000 per person inclusive of refreshments and a gift hamper.
FESTA DO POVO CELEBRATION
TRADITIONAL and Goa-inspired food and music will take centre stage at the second edition of the popular community festival, Festa do Povo, which returns to Panaji on December 14 and 15. Festa do Povo offers an exciting culinary journey, featuring food stalls by local home chefs from Panaji and Salcette. The menu reflects Goa’s rich culinary diversity across its cultural and religious spectrum. The festa is being catered to be international chefs and renowned restaurants from Panaji. Adding to the celebration is a dedicated feni bar and beverage stations, highlighting local drinks.
This is fundamentally a people’s festival that embodies the philosophy “of the people, by the people and for the people.” Festa do Povo is being held at mangrove-lined pedestrian spineway at Patto Plaza…come and celebrate Goan culture, environment, heritage and camaraderie.
The two-day event promises musical performances including the Stuti Choir ensemble reviving Goa’s choral music tradition, a celebrated brass band, carol singing by students of Nirmala School and performances by popular bands such as, Sound of Music Goa, The Riffs and Crimson Tide.
100-DAY INTENSIFIED TB ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN
Felicitation of Nikshay Mitras and TB Champions highlights community efforts in the fight against TB
December 7, 2024: A 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign was launched on December 7, 2024 by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) in Goa, aimed at accelerating efforts to diagnose and treat tuberculosis (TB) cases across the state. The campaign seeks to enhance active case finding and patient support in line with the national target to eliminate TB by 2025.
The event was graced by chief guest, Dr Vandana Dhume, Director of DHS, along with distinguished guests Dr Shaheen Sayeed, Deputy Director (Medical), Dr Utkarsh Betodkar, State Epidemiologist, and Dr Brenda Pinto, CMO of TB Hospital, South Goa. The program began with a welcome address by Dr Manish Gaunekar, State TB Officer (STO) for Goa, who outlined the state’s vision for the campaign.
The program commenced with a flag-off of the Nikshay Vahan, marking the start of the intensified TB elimination drive. This initiative is part of a larger national campaign, aimed at reaching under-served communities and enhancing TB awareness, screening and treatment.
There was a special felicitation ceremony honoring the contributions of the Nikshay Mitras, community members who have voluntarily come forward to support TB patients through nutritional and social aid. The program also recognised Nivas Patil as a TB Champion, celebrating his remarkable commitment to raising awareness and advocating for those battling the disease.
Food baskets were distributed to beneficiaries during the event, reinforcing the comprehensive approach to TB care by addressing both medical and nutritional needs. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vandana Dhume, Director of DHS,emphasized the urgency of the campaign, “The 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign reflects our strong resolve to find and treat as many TB cases as possible within the community. Over the next 100 days, our field staff will focus on thorough screening, ensuring that those with symptoms receive timely diagnostic tests, including NAAT tests and chest X-rays. With these efforts, we expect to identify and treat many more cases, improving outcomes for TB patients across the state.”
This campaign is part of the national initiative and aims to detect and treat undiagnosed cases of TB through extensive outreach, screenings, and support measures, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. This campaign also seeks to enhance public awareness about TB symptoms and prevention while mobilizing resources to ensure timely diagnosis and comprehensive care for those affected. With initiatives like the Nikshay Mitra program, Goa is making strides in being TB free soon.
TIGER AT APEX OF FOOD CHAIN!
PEOPLE worship tigers because they are at the apex of the food chain, according to renowned environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar. He also says that large scale development in Goa has forced the tiger and sloth bear population in the wild to struggle for survival.
Kerkar was speaking on the subject of “Ecology: Goa’s Artistic and Spiritual Thinking” at a panel discussion at the Museum of Goa, as part of its interactive series MOG Sundays. Participants included trans-disciplinary artist Waylon D’Souza, co-director Maya de Souza, eco-spiritual artist Miriam Koshy and Rector at the Seminary of Our Lady, Saliga, Fr Valeriano Vaz.
“Why do people worship
the tiger? Tiger is the apex of the food chain. And here in Goa, you will find
more than 50 temples dedicated to the tiger god. Tribal people (have also)
protected a forest called Vagregal (name derived from the local nomenclature
for tiger, wagh),” said Kerkar. He has been vociferously
articulating the need for the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary to be upgraded to the
status of a Tiger Reserve.
He observed, “On one side, you can see huge development taking place and on the other side, you have the tiger population, the sloth bear population, struggling for their survival.”
The panel discussion highlighted the synergy between art, ecology and spirituality, featuring eco-spiritual artist Miriam Koshy. Using her acclaimed installation Mhadeiche Rakhondar (Guardians of the Mhadei), inspired by the Mhadei river water sharing controversy, Koshy showcased art’s role in ecological awareness. The installation, celebrating Goa’s biodiversity and seven guardian spirits, became central to the “Mhadei Amchi Mai” festival, fostering awareness and highlighting the need to protect Goa’s fragile ecology.
“In the face of relentless news cycles, I prayed for an army of rakhondars to protect our Mhadei, standing in solidarity with her and honouring her,” Koshy shared. “Art is a powerful tool to remind us that we are part of a greater ecosystem — one that is not above other species, but intricately connected to them,” she said.
Another panellist, Fr Valeriano Vaz, asserted that people from different religious and cultural backgrounds must stand united and preserve the ecology. “Spirituality is unification,” he said, adding that he hoped that oneness among people was critical to creating a positive impact in the conservation of Goa’s ecology. Maya de Souza of Act for Goa commented, “Goa’s spiritual traditions and modern artistic world are informing communities and bringing people together to safeguard our precious landscape and ecology.”
SERENDIPITY ART FESTIVAL 2024’S ‘TRAVELING BALCÃOS’ PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION MAKES EARLY DEBUT ACROSS PANAJI
Panaji, December 2024: Making an early debut, Serendipity Arts Festival 2024’s itinerant public art installation, ‘Traveling Balcãos’, inspired by the traditional Goan porches or balcãos, will celebrate the spirit of community at three venues in the heart of Panaji, as a precursor to the Festival.
The public is invited to engage with the installation at the Kadamba Bus Stand on December 10, the Panjim Market on December 11 and the Panjim Promenade on December 12, before it is parked at The Art Park for the Festival, which commences in full swing on December 15 across Panaji.
‘Traveling Balcãos’ aims to create conversations in the city’s public spaces on community, identity and belonging in the context of a rapidly changing Goa. The installation shares the diversity of the voices from across the city, connected by the common thread of migration and dualism of home. An integral part of the architecture and history of Goa, the balcão is a domestic, intimate space to sit and talk in, which the project opens up into a public space to create a local collective voice,
Curated by Delhi-based artist duo and SAF 2024’s Visual Design co-curators Thukral & Tagra as part of the multisensory experience ‘Multiplay’ at the Festival, ‘Traveling Balcãos’ is a project by art and architectural practice a global collective specialising in participatory urban planning, design, governance, and architecture.
The ninth edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival is set to take place in Panjim, Goa, from December 15-22, 2024.
NOTES TO EDITOR
About Serendipity Arts
Serendipity Arts is a not-for-profit collaborative platform based in Delhi, fostering empathy, curiosity and cross-cultural dialogue by supporting emerging artists across South Asia. The Foundation’s aim is to nurture artistic practice, promote research, and provide sustainability and education in the field of the arts. Over the past decade, Serendipity Arts has encouraged cultural heritage projects alongside contemporary art practices with extensive residencies, grants, collaborative projects, art writing initiatives and a multi-disciplinary arts festival.
About Serendipity Arts
Festival
The Foundation’s primary initiative and largest outreach project, Serendipity Arts Festival is a multi-disciplinary arts event held annually across multiple venues in Panjim, Goa. Curated by a panel of eminent artists and institutional figures, the festival is part of a long-term cultural project that hopes to catalyse positive change in the arts landscape of India on a scale that transcends geographical, linguistic, and ideological boundaries. Now in its ninth edition, the Festival stands as a testament to the transformative power of the arts – addressing crucial issues such as arts education, patronage culture, transdisciplinary discourse, inclusivity, and accessibility. Through our initiatives, we strive to bridge the gap between the aesthetic realm and real social impact by creating a sustainable ecosystem for the arts to thrive.
WOMEN ARTISTS ARE ENVIRONMENT CONSCIOUS!
By Dominick Rodrigues
Mumbai: More and more women artists today are emerging in the forefront of the art collectibles industry with their contributions drawing art connoisseurs in their numbers.
A recent ‘Contemporary Art Fair’ in Mumbai – titled Kalaa Spandan Art Fair (8th Edition) promoted by Indian Art Promoter — featured many such artists highlighting “messages for the world” amidst displaying their best masterpieces that had the visitors and others overawed by the splendid paintings.
Rowena Pires, artist, entrepreneur and homemaker, showcased her depiction of vibrant landscapes, seascapes and florals that blended emotions and nature, while also urging for protection of the environment and picturesque nature.
“My artwork incorporates my global travels and my deep Goan roots highlighting seascapes, where my focus captures the sublime beauty and sense of infinity of these areas,” said Pires, whose source of inspiration is ‘Vincent Van Gogh’ for his bold expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colours that “resonate deeply in my own artistic journey.”
Anushree Purohit began painting from age five before turning professional from 2012 in highlighting different cultures. “I love photography and painting different culture,” she said while highlighting “Underwater Life” — a beautiful African “demoiselle crane” and queer deep marine creatures like huge colourful jellyfish and glowing sea life through acrylic on canvas.
Focusing on art awareness, she highlighted her campaign of “Pay What You Want” while displaying small hand paintings titled “Lucky,” “Attraction” etc starting at “barely a buck” (one Rupee.)
Ankita Bhatnagar, an M.S, (U.K.) in Cybercrime and e-investigation, was showcasing her artistic photography skills with aerial photos of the “Niagara Falls” and a grotesque tree in California (like a stunted Bonsai).
She opted out from a digital forensic expert career in the corporate world to follow her dream – on a floating income — and held a whopping 19 exhibitions in barely 18 months over Dubai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Jaipur and Pune.
Her travel experiences led to artistic photo creations on aluminium sheets, glossy embossed canvas and Sunboard Hi-Definition prints with subjects like the picturesque “The Grand Canyon” (USA) priced at Rs 20,000 in limited edition prints that are ‘washable.’
RECOVERED: STOLEN & LOST MOBILE PHONES
IN a major breakthrough under the leadership of DCP Crimes K Narasimha (IPS) the CCS, IT Cell, CCRB, CAT and Social Media teams of Cyberabad Police, have successfully recovered 1,100 stolen and lost mobile phones over the past 45 days. Utilizing the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, the recovered phones, valued at ₹3.30 crore, were handed over to their rightful owners in a formal event held on Dec 10, 2024 at the Cyberabad CP Office.
DCP Crimes K Narasimha said on the occasion, “With mobile phones playing an essential role in our daily lives, this recovery drive underscores the Cyberabad Police commitment to protecting citizens from cybercrimes. Mobile theft remains a persistent issue, often exploited by cybercriminals to access sensitive information, including bank account details. Despite high levels of education, many people remain unaware of how to prevent their stolen devices from being misused.”
He further added, “Since its implementation the CEIR portal has facilitated the recovery of 7,500 mobile phones, including 5,500 devices this year alone. We urge citizens to take precautions, such as securing their devices and being cautious of fraud calls or suspicious online links commonly used by criminals to defraud victims.”
“In the past 45 days, Cyberabad Police have recovered 1,100 mobile phones. Among them, 235 were recovered by Madhapur CCS, 203 by Balanagar CCS, 185 by Medchal CCS, 166 by Rajendranagar CCS, 151 by Shamshabad CCS, 185 by Medchal Zone, 07 by Madhapur L&O, 50 by Medchal L&O, 23 by Balanagar L&O, 08 by Rajendranagar L&O, 12 by Shamshabad L&O and 60 by the IT Cell.”
The DCP emphasized that citizens should not fear digital arrests or panic in response to fraud calls, investment scams, or other cybercrimes. He urged everyone to stay vigilant, verify information, and report suspicious activities to Cyberabad Police, ensuring a safe digital environment.
Media campaigns, Social media outreach, and community engagement have been instrumental in educating people about mobile theft prevention and cyber fraud. The police also stressed the importance of installing CCTV cameras in residential and commercial areas to deter thefts and assist in tracking offenders. The DCP encouraged the public to report lost or stolen mobile phones at their nearest police station or through the CEIR portal, which is available nationwide across all States and Union Territories. He stressed that the use of the CEIR portal can prevent the misuse of stolen phones and ensures quicker recovery. For cyber crimes, he urged citizens to dial 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in and file a complaint as soon as possible after the theft.
DCP Crimes K. Narasimha, IPS, extended his appreciation to CCRB, ACP Crimes Kalinga Rao, CCS ACP K. Shashank Reddy, IT Cell Inspector Anjaneyulu, Rajendranagar CCS Inspector Prashanth, Shamshabad CCS Inspector Pavan, Madhapur CCS Inspector, Balanagar CCS Inspector Raju, along with the ASIs, Head Constables, Women Police Constables, and the IT Cell, CCRB and CCS teams for their outstanding efforts in the recovery operation.