The interiors of this tiny state of Goa have immense cultural and heritage treasure troves. These sites interest archaeologists, anthropologists and historians alike. The talukas of Salcette, Tiswadi and Bardez are called as the ‘Old Conquests’ of the Portuguese colonial rule. The Sahyadhri Khand refers Goa as ‘Gomantak’.

This verdant ‘Parshuram Bhumi’ (Parshuram’s land), even attracted divine powers and gratified them to reside here. When the gods themselves were mesmerized by the beauty of Goa, one cannot expect the humans to turn a blind eye towards this ‘Bhumi’.  Many dynasties and rulers in the historic period focused their attention over Goa. They held Goa under their hegemonistic control probably because of long Goa’s coastline and the navigable rivers, which facilitated trade and commerce.

However, Goa is proud to have records of Konkan Maury kings like Chandravarman, Anirjitvarman who ruled over Goa during the 6th- 7th century. Nevertheless, the first king to rule Goa was King Devraj. His records mention that he ruled from ‘Chandraur’. Chandraur appears to be later renamed as Shivapur by the Konkan Maury king Chandravarman. Chandraur was the first capital city of Goa. Further, it was renamed to Chandramandal, Chandrapur, or Chandravaadi. Chroniclers like Ibn Batuta and Ferishta have referred Chandrapur as ‘Sindabaur’. Later the Portuguese corrupted it to Chandor. Locally, this ancient Chandrapur is still called as “Chaandraa”.

The Kadamb dynasty ruled the longest in Goa. They fortified the city with strong fortification of mud and stones. The River Kushavati on which Chandrapur is situated played an important role in trade and warfare. The Goa Kadambs developed the state of art of building a strong and a powerful navy to defend Goa’s ports. Although, the Kadamb king Virvarmdev moved his capital from Chandrapur to Gopakpattan in the 11th century, Chandrapur’s fame was spread as far as South India, East Africa and Arab countries.

The city was attacked by the Tuglaqs and the Bahamanis after the downfall of the Kadambs. Their attacks ruined the city completely.  Sadly, very few vestiges of this ancient city remain today. During my explorations of ancient heritage of Chandor, I was able to locate an ancient fort based on the clues given by Fr. Henry Heras in his articles. I was thrilled to se that the ancient fortification dating to 11th century still exists in the 21st century. The area around this fortification is called as Kott today. Kott means a fort in Kannada. It is the only ancient existing fort in Goa.  The fortification is clearly visible from Google Earth.

The citadel had a gateway near the Sao Tiago Chapel and therefore the area beyond the chapel is called as “Koudi” to mean a gateway in Kannada. Koudi possibly has been derived from the Kannada word “Kavad” which means a door. Locals mention a moat existing along the periphery of the wall. Similar type of fortification with a moat is seen in Banvaasi too. Banvaasi was also the capital of the Kadambs. It can be inferred that the Kadambs were experts in constructing mud and stone citadels. Many parts of this ancient fort walls have collapsed. Due to thick vegetation growing, the tree roots have penetrated the wall.

Architecture of Goa:

Goa saw rule of many dynasties and rulers. Over the years these dynasties brought in their own culture in this soil. The architectural styles blended with the aboriginal styles prevalent in Goa. The architectural styles seen in Goa today is an unique fusion of Indian and European art. As Indian artists were employed to build the houses in western style the artists and masons tried to incorporate the Indian art into these houses which their hands were used to. The houses of the new conquest differ from the houses of the old conquest. Though the catholic and Hindu houses differed in many ways with regards to the utilitarian space there were some elements which were commonly seen in both the houses.

Climatic conditions also prevented creating exact copies or replicas of Latin architecture. To elucidate the seating arrangement outside every traditional Goan house is an influence of Indian art.  They are traditionally called ‘balcao’, ‘Sopo’ or ‘Teno’. The word balcao is a word of the Portuguese vocabulary.  However such seating were common in the 11th and 12th century temples built by the Goa Kadambs.  Another Indian feature which was incorporated in Indo-Portuguese houses is the Raaj- Aangan. It was an open courtyard in between the house. The literal meaning of Raaj- Aangan is a king-size courtyard.  The Hindu houses have a tulsi plant in the centre of this courtyard which was absent in the catholic houses.

There are many houses in Goa which are worth seeing and  are called as palaces of Goa by many historians, architects and researchers. In the Tiswadi taluka we have the house of Mhamai Kamats and the Ghanekars in Panaji which are a unique fusion of Indian and European architecture.  The Salcette and the bardez atula also boasts about grand palatial mansions. The Proenca house of Calangute in bardez taluka is also another example of such architecture.  The house has the old Hindu part and the new part which was built later during the Portuguese period says Mr Joaquim Proenca, the owner as he points out to the windows in the ground floor of the house. The Salcette taluka also boasts about heritage houses.  The areas near the Holy Spirit Church in Madgao, villages of Benaulim, Varca, Orlim has beautiful houses which mesmerizes the visitors. However there are few houses in Goa which are open to the public to see. Two such houses are located in the village of Chandor. The house of Menezes Braganza near the Chandor church is beautiful mansion having a huge ball room, a library, a dinning and exquisitely carved imported furniture.

The heritage house of Sara Fernandes in Kott area of Chandor is also a must-see house for every visitor.  The ground floor of the house is a small museum with artifacts of historic importance. Inscription of Kadamb era, vestiges of temples, the Goan ‘Maachil’ (palanquin) are some of the prized possessions of the museum. The son of the house Mr. Ranjiv Fernandes narrates the family history of Fernandes as he takes you around his house. Mr. Ranjiv explains how the house looked like before the family became Christians. The Hindu styled house still exists says Ranjiv as he points out to the old foundation and Hindu utensils displayed.  The walls have gun holes piercing through thick walls and aiming the front door of the house. Old swords and secret passages are still conserved by the family, which is a testimony to the glorious past.

The top floor of the house has mesmerizing ballroom adorned by an array of imported chandeliers. One can also see the ancient Goan instruments like the ‘Ghumat’ and ‘Mhaadhale’. Piano and violin of the Portuguese era is also displayed here. One cannot miss the antique “Chest of Drawers” which contains a maze of drawers which was once used to store gems and jewels in the olden days, in the absences of metal safes.

Culture & Heitage:

Goa’s culture is too a very good amalgamation of eastern and western culture. Festivals like the Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Navratri, Dussera, Christmas are an inseperable part of Goa.  The ‘Fest’ in Goan churches attracts not only the Christians but also the hindus and the muslims. The temples and the Jatras here are attended by many Hindu and Christian  devotees. Church feasts like the ‘Tavshaachem Fest’ of Santana, ‘Konsachem Fest’ of Raia, the Feast of Three Kings in Cansaulim  have beautiful legends and traditions assocaiated with them.  In the Church of St Anne, in Santana in  Talualim  it is tradition to offer cucumbers, spoons and Urid to St. Anna. The feast not only draws Christians but also draws many Hindu devotees. On the Feast day at St, Jerome’s Church in Mapusa the devotees offer oil to the statue of Milagres. Milagres Saaibinn as she is addressed by all is believed to be one of the seven Hindu Sister-Goddesses who came down from the ghats and settled in various places in Goa. The churches of Old Goa   have their own mystical charm. They are notified as World Heritage Sites

Goan temples are a unique fusion of Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and European architecture.  The shikhar of the Goan temples is not a conical tower like seen in other temples of India but is an octagonal tower crowned by a dome. In some temples these domes are of different styles.

There are myriad deities worshipped in Goa. Perhaps this is the reason why people have always called this land ‘Dev Bhumi’ or ‘Punya Bhumi’ which means ‘God’s Land’ or the ‘Holy Land’. ‘Shantadurga’, a form of the fierce Durga who killed the Demon Mahishaasur resided in Goa and became the goddess of peace, tranquility. The fierce Durga chose her Goa as her abode became ‘Shaant’ which means serene, cool.  The famous temple of Shri Shantadurga lies in the village of Kavle in the Ponda taluka. The temple is like a palatial mansion and is was built under the Patronage of Shahu Maharaj the grandson of the Great Shivaji.

Goa is perhaps the only state in Goa where Devki is worshipped along with her baby Shri Krishna. Devki is the mother or Shri Krishna. In other places Shri Krishna is worshipped individually and not with his mother. The female form who killed two fierce demons Chandd and Mundd is also worshipped ardently here. The deity Shri Chamundeshwari is worshipped in a grand temple at Vargao in Bicholim taluka. To answer a devotee’s prayer Goddess Kamakhy came all the way from Assam and today resides in a magnificent temple at Shiroda in the Ponda taluka. She is known by the name of Shri Kamakshi today.

Shiva, a part of the Hindu Trinity also chose Goa has his heavenly abode. He is worshipped in many forms like Shri Saptkoteshwar, Shri Naagesh, Shri Mangesh, Shri Ramnath. The temple of Shri Naagesh, Shri Ramnath and Shri Mangesh are located in Ponda, while that of Shri Saptkoteshwar is in Narve of Bicholim. An example of Kadamb dynasty’s architectural grandeur survives at Tambdi  Surla in the Sanguem taluka in the form a temple built from schist stone.

Courtesy: Navhind Times, Goa Daily

The society’s Nature Farm wing has taken up the task of executing contract farming at fallow lands in and around the village. Mumbai-based Verghis, who has walked the ramp for many top brands, was the first one to offer her paddy field, ad-measuring around 6,000 sq mts, for the innovative farm arrangement between two parties.

Speaking to the media after commissioning the Indian Coast Guard ship Vishvast at Goa Shipyard Limited in Vasco, the defence minister said all obstacles to the expansion have been cleared. The statement is in stark contrast to what Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel said in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday—that the Indian Navy has refused to give 51 acres of land sought by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the project.

When asked about this, Antony said, “All hitches are over. Go ahead with the expansion project.” He, however, refused to elaborate on how much land at Dabolim the Navy was willing to hand over for civilian use. When asked if this was a quid pro quo for a navy enclave at the proposed Mopa international airport, as sought by it earlier, Antony smiled and walked away. The Indian Navy occupied Dabolim civilian airport on December 19, 1961 during Operation Vijay, which ended Portuguese rule in Goa.

Courtesy:TOI

Persons in real estate in the country too, are resorting to similar purchases disturbing the social fabric in the State. Rights existing under the constitution should not be so unfettered so as to change economic scenario of a smaller State, particularly its villages, much to the disadvantage of the State and its people. Anti-social elements which become a part of such uncontrolled transactions are proving disastrous for a State like Goa. Therefore, States have to be empowered to enact appropriate legislations to bring in restrictions on transfer of land and other immovable properties on grounds of duration of residential requirement in the State, social and economic needs of the State, environment and public interest, as may be specified by the law.

Similarly, in  the State of Goa consist of hardly 3,702 sq meters of land with a population of roughly 14 lakhs, increasing number of migrant population has reached to an unmanageable proportions. While it is the fundamental right of every citizen under Article 19 of the Constitution to move freely throughout the territory of India, it is also the fundamental right of others to live a decent life with basic amenities provided by the State.  In order to safeguard the basic rights of those Goans as also non-Goans who are settled in Goa for a number of years, further inflow has to be regulated to avoid a virtual stampede in near future. Mr Naik mentioned to PM regarding the activities of Russians in the State.

SPECIAL CATEGORY

In the second memorandum Mr Naik demanded special category for the State. Mr Naik said,   that at present, there are 11 states which enjoy the status of Special Category. They are: 1.Arunachal Pradesh 2.Assam 3.Meghalaya 4.Nagaland 5.Manipur 6.Tripura 7.Mizoram 8 Sikkim 9. Jammu & Kashmir 10.Himachal Pradesh 11.Uttarachal. The State of Goa has achieved a high Human Development Index and has been consistently performing well in financial parameters as well. However, the recent global recession has adversely affected the revenue collection of the State, memorandum says.

To revive the situation, the State requires fiscal stimulus in the form of higher investment for creation of infrastructure in key sectors of the economy such as Agriculture, Health, Education, and Social Sector. Since the sources of funding from the private sector have dried up due to poor liquidity, the State requests the Planning Commission to help the State to meet the gap, Mr Naik says in his memorandum. Time and again, the State of Goa had been ardently persuading the Central Government for granting ‘Special Category Status’ to Goa and provide enhanced financial assistance to tide over the peculiar problems faced by the State, Mr Naik says in his memorandum.

SEPARATE CADRE

Despite raising the entry fee of the casinos from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000 the revenue collection has gone up considerably in the current financial year.

The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat has said that despite raising the entry fee of the casinos from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000 the revenue collection from the same has gone up considerably in the current financial year. The government had raised the entry fee in the casinos in the budget for the year 2009-10 in an attempt to prevent people (particularly the locals) from gambling. 

Salgaoncar was suspended after a two-wheeler rider was caught talking on cellphone while riding on Mandovi bridge here, police said. The channel claimed that the fine for the offence is Rs 600 but the constable demanded Rs 300 from the rider, police added.

Courtesy: TOI

The report also observed that there was lack of “concerted and co-ordinated” efforts on part of all the authorities concerned with the case. The Committee said being the nodal agency, the Civil Aviation Ministry should “pursue the matter vigorously” and in right earnest with all the concerned authorities so that the requisite land is transferred to Airports Authority of India and the airport can be expanded.

Courtesy: zeenews

Jazz Junction was formed by bassplayer Colin D’Cruz and features some of India’s most accomplished jazz musicians that includes singer Yvonne Gonsalves, pianist Darryl Rodrigues and drummer Lester Godinho. The band has featured various visiting international jazz virtuosos over the years and currently features German saxophonist Bernard Schmidt. Jazz Junction offers a tight rhythm section in Darryl, Colin and Lester, giving visiting singers and soloists a great platform to perform in while they are in India. Jazz Junction is also the only Goan band invited to perform at India’s biggest jazz festival the Jazz Utsav.

Bernard Schmidt has performed worldwide for concerts and festivals as well as in clubs and pubs in Germany. He plays both alto and tenor saxophones and has an improvising style that borders on the avante garde. He is comfortable playing straight ahead as well as contemporary sounds of jazz. Bernard’s soulful sound adds an exciting dimension to Jazz Junction.

Viktor Hugo Furiani a French visual jockey , has been touring the world, giving music a face, experimenting with graphics and music across the globe. To his credits he has performed in Opera de Lyon in France Cinematic in Paris; U.K and Italy. He recently displayed his art at the Sunburn festival in Goa, coordinated the Wall of VJ’s at Zenzi, the popular night club of Mumbai and in the last year has been touring the globe conducting workshops of dance and visual effects.

Marion Urvan from France is a global fusion dancer. She specialises in contemporary, gypsy and break dance, creating a synergy of her own. Trained under Maria Robin, Gulabi Sabery and Jeanaie Acojly ; Marion has performed in leading theatres in Africa, France, Germany and presently experimenting with Indian classical dance beats.

Courtesy: radioandmusic

Usually the climatic conditions of Goa are temperate, except during the monsoon, which lasts from June to September. Thanks to the coastal Konkan region and the backdrop of Western Ghats, weather of Goa is pleasant and sunny (temperature 22? to 35?C). There are no extremes in temperature and no clear demarcations from one season to the other except for the monsoon. During the monsoon, 250 cm to 300 cm of rain is normal in coastal areas of Goa, although on the mountainous locations the downpour is considerably higher. Goa is standing tall today among other states in India because of the two boons of bountiful nature- considerable reserves of iron & manganese ores and heavenly beautiful beaches.

However, Goa also faces several problems. Forest is fast disappearing (present forest coverage is only 35% in the Western Ghats) and as a consequence the water security of Goa and other neighboring States is under threat. Hence, it is imperative to conserve existing and regenerate natural forests with indigenous tree cover to save the unique biodiversity. The man-animal conflicts, eroding agriculture diversity, destructive infrastructure, reckless mining and threatened tribal livelihood are some of the issues that need urgent attention. The threat from global warming, cloud bursts, flash floods and seismic activities are very much around. If mining and tourism have rendered the launching pad for economic development of Goa so far, it is time to look beyond these two areas to develop sustainable, environment friendly industries with a human-face.

Goa, according to experts, has all the advantages and potential to become an outstanding First-World-State within the next ten years, provided a transparent, corruption free, proactive, corporate governance is in place. The road to recovery probably lies in enhancing the knowledge-base of the state. The focus of knowledge economy would be to create employment opportunity for the vast educated work-force and not mere short-term problem solving. It should develop a culture of entrepreneurship, collaboration, and accountability. Entrepreneurship is heavily linked to taking risk. Risk taking is an attitude that should be encouraged, when backed by knowledge, information and facts.

Development is best achieved in association with distributive justice. The areas which can be developed into major pillars of economy in Goa are pharmaceuticals, healthcare industry, tertiary education, entertainment industry, information technology, and financial & offshore banking services. Major investment in the field of infrastructure development is essential to support above listed activities. Major investments in power and water sectors are essential. Revamping sewerage system and managing the problem of solid waste should be among the priorities. Investment in transport sector can, in fact, double the return. A faster, less pollutant, congestion free, comfortable transport system from north to south of the state can bring about desired results. Enhancing the facilities at the airport, seaport, and road are must.  To ensure an environment friendly balanced growth and support economic turnaround, Goa needs an honest road-map of development and strict implementation of CRZ provisions.

Courtesy: Navhind Times, Goa Daily