STRONG EARTHQUAKE ROCKS THAILAND, MYANMAR

ON March 28, 2025 a powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing significant tremors felt across Bangkok, Thailand. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 and occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located approximately 50 kilometers east of Monywa, Myanmar.
In Bangkok, the tremors caused buildings to sway, prompting evacuations as residents fled to the streets in panic. High-rise apartments and hotels were notably affected, with water observed sloshing out of swimming pools due to the shaking. Despite the intensity of the tremors, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in Bangkok.
The situation in Myanmar, where the earthquake originated, remains unclear due to ongoing civil unrest in the region. As of now, there are no immediate reports detailing the impact within Myanmar.
We in India are constantly looking westwards to catch up with political developments but rarely think of looking eastwards which are regions we have more in common with! What happens in our neighbouring countries affects us much more and we should sit up and take stock for we never know when the calamities will hit us and we should lend a helping hand to our neighbours instead of aping the Western countries all the time.
—Pankajbala R Patel, Goa

KHOSHI LOKANCHEM FEST
(Happy People’s Fest)
ON behalf of the Goa College of Home Science, Campal, Panjim, we are having a Happy People’s Festival, or Khoshi Lokanchem Fest on April 5, 2025 from 11am to 5pm. This is a unique festival to celebrate goa’s rich cultural heritage. Visitors may look forward to a vibrant day line up with activities including a special book release. This Happy People’s Festival is to share insights of life and to foster community spirit in preserving traditional ways of life and living. The festival is being curated by festakar Marius Fernandes (ISR), Nicole Suares, Prakash Kamat and others.
—Sheryl Afonso, Panjim