“Goa Dialogues” January

The International Centre Goa – Newsletter
EDITORIAL
January-March 2010
want to make it a lot more aesthetically appealing by planting more
trees and flowering plants, installing sculptures and constructing
a children’s park. To make ICG internationally acclaimed, we are
already in the process of refurnishing and renovating our facilities.
We recently converted our generator cum storeroom into a beautiful
reading room cum business centre, which now offers our members
and residents a remarkable collection of books covering a variety
of subjects as well as four computers provided with internet
connectivity. We have also renovated our guestrooms, conference
halls, restaurant, indoor and outdoor venues, roads and parking
space keeping in mind the physically disabled and senior citizens.
Dear Friends, Greetings !
It is a well established fact that the key role of the ICG Director
and Trustees is to create a state-of-the-art physical and intellectual
infrastructure and safeguard its assets. My endeavour as Director is
to make The International Centre into a completely holistic place of
international standards, where ideational as well as other activities
take place in a world class ambience. I have a vision to put ICG on
the world map and I would like to make this difference by leading
by example. As you can see, ICG has undergone numerous changes
in the last six months.
One of the main problems in Goa I found was garbage disposal.
We ourselves at ICG produce around 50 kilos of waste everyday,
which I felt should be made use of and not left unattended to
degrade the environment. So we decided to initiate the ICG
‘Clean Goa for Green Goa’ campaign and successfully installed
a recycling plus composting unit at the Centre. We now segregate
waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable at source. The
non-biodegradable waste like plastic, metals tins and glass bottles
are recycled whereas the biodegradable waste is mixed with mud to
form compost or organic fertilizer. The first batch of compost, which
has taken around 90 days, is ready and will be utilized for a kitchen
garden in our campus. The organic vegetables grown in this garden
will be a new addition to the restaurant menu.
Thankfully, Goa has been blessed with abundant Solar and wind
energy, which I feel has not been tapped at all. So another endeavour
of ours would be to harness this renewable source of energy by
installing a Solar-Wind power station, which will then be used for
lighting up the Centre’s public and emergency lights. Goa is also
blessed with plenty of rain, but unfortunately most of it gets drained
into the sea and the rivers. The ground water does not replenish
nor do we have sufficient water storage facilities, which is why we
often hear about acute drinking water shortage in many parts of
Goa especially during the summers. Keeping this mind and also to
set an example, we have plans to recharge the 2 borewells within the
campus, with rainwater.
As you are also aware, we have stepped up in organizing numerous
programs, seminars, workshops, talks, lectures of local, national
and international significance. Some of the important programs
include Seminars on Women in Media, Human Development,
Terrorism, Right to Information, Community Radio, CRZ Draft 2010
including film workshops, debate competitions, talks on yoga, waste
management, ozone therapy, workshops and demonstrations in
painting, pottery, etc. We have also started a book club for children
called the ‘Pageturners’, which holds workshops for children on
various authors every month. A chess activity centre, for all ages
is also successfully been carried out every Friday. During the
evenings, we have started Tai-Chi and Yoga classes for our members
and guests.
We have plans to further improve our facilities by having an
auditorium, Convention hall, swimming pool, gymnasium etc We also
have a new caterer, who joined us in February 2010. Our Hospitality
and Food & Beverage incharge Mr. Roy Vaz and Mr. Vipul Moghe,
launched their catering facility called ‘KOTA Hospitality - Food &
Beverage Service Division’.
So all in all, as you can see dear friends the ICG is fast becoming a
place you would love to visit everyday !
See you all at ICG !
That’s not all! Even though ICG is already beautiful with its lush
greenery and landscaped gardens, fountain and fish-lotus pond, we
— NANDINI SAHAI
What’s new on the Menu
Our restaurant 'SPICES' will now be serving exquisite cuisine 'A la Carte', as well as buffet (packages) for
functions ranging from conferences, seminars to parties and receptions. Walk-ins are welcome too.
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The International Centre, Goa
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE GOA
PRESIDENT:
Mr. Pratapsingh Raoji Rane,
Speaker, Legislative Assembly of Goa,
and former Chief Minister of Goa.
LIBRARY INAUGURATION
On 27th February 2010, The International Centre
inaugurated its new library cum Business Centre.
The renovation of the Library was funded by The
Dempo Charity Trust.
VICE PRESIDENT:
Dr. V A Pai Panandiker,
Founder and Former President Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi.
Mr. Dattaraj Salgaocar,
MD - V M Salgaocar Group of Cos.
Mr. P G Kakodkar,
Former Chairman, State Bank of India &
Former President of ICG.
Padma Bhushan Mario Miranda,
Internationally renowned Artist.
Mr. Shrinivas Dempo,
Chairman & MD – Dempo Group of Cos.
Adv. Subhalaxmi Nayak,
Among the trustees present for the occasion
were Mr. Pratapsingh Rane Honorable Speaker
Goa Legislative Assembly and President of The
International Centre, Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, Mr
Dattaraj Salgaocar and Mr. A.N.S. Nadkarni.
Prominent Lawyer.
Dr. Ligia Noronha,
Senior Fellow of The Energy and Resources Institute
(TERI), India, and Director of the Resources
and Global Security Division.
Adv. A. N. S. Nadkarni,
Lawyer and Former Advocate General, Government of Goa.
Mr. Yatin Kakodkar,
Director - Apex Packaging Products Pvt. Ltd. &
Former President of Confederation of Indian Industry – Goa.
Elected Trustees
Dr. Hiru Bijlani,
MD - Zenith Global Consultants Ltd. Mumbai.
The Library cum Business Centre, with its pleasant
and relaxing atmosphere, offers a remarkable
collection of books covering a variety of subjects
ranging from Economics to Philosophy. It is also
furnished with four computers provided with
internet connectivity.
Dr. Rudra Prasad Pradhan
Assistant Professor
Humanities & Management Group,
BITS Pilani, Goa Campus
Mr. Sanjay Srivastava
Chief Secretary Govt. of Goa
Govt. Representative
Ms. Nandini Sahai
Member Secretary, Director (ICG)
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The International Centre, Goa
CONFERENCES & SEMINARS
An Interactive session on “Decoding the Budget
2011” with Mr. Manguirish Pai Raiker, VicePresident, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries
was held on 2nd March. The session was organized by
The International Centre Goa (ICG), Goa Chamber of
Commerce and Industries (GCCI) and Goa University
(GU). The talk, followed by an interactive session
with the experts was attended by a large number of
students and people from different parts of Goa.
Media: Need for a Gender Code”, in collaboration
with Goa Union of Journalists, Media Information
and Communication Centre of India, and Friedrich
Ebert Stiftung - India.
The media must respond to historical and sociocultural forms of gender differentiation taking into
consideration Indian multiculturalism and its associated
peculiarities, recognition of gender differences and
women’s special interests. Gender diversity within the
media is an effective strategy only when supported by
gender sensitivity, competitive gender capacities and
institutionalization of gender just norms.
Consistently throughout Asia, women have been
portrayed in the media as victims, subservient, nurturing,
sacrificing and objectified sexualized beings. This not
only inaccurately represents the diversity of women’s
lives, roles and experiences within this complex and
Major General Vinod Saighal.
rich region, their contributions to the socio-political and
General Vinod Saighal, delivered a talk on “Global economic development of society are also neglected.
Terrorism and Global Cooperation”. He has retired The issue of gender should be at the forefront of
from the Indian Army and authored several articles on discussions concerning freedom of expression.
a vast range of subjects and internationally acclaimed
books including “Dealing with Global Terrorism:
The Way Forward” and “Global Security Paradoxes:
2000-2020”.
On 17 February, at The International Centre Goa,
Major General Saighal sharing his opinion regarding
Terrorism in India, said that it is not the terrorists but
the politics who are destroying the country and stated
that “It is the political class that is inducing terrorism
and it is due to the fact of criminalization of politics.”
He then spoke about the 26/11 attack on Mumbai as
an evidence of the inefficiency of the state to deal
with terrorism. Major General Saighal finally exposed
his view about the India-Pakistan issue. The talk was
followed by an interactive session with the author.
Sonia Kuncalienker (General Manager, Prudent Media Pvt. Ltd.)
expressing her views on women issues.
Notwithstanding all this, women journalists have
clearly made great advances in the last two decades.
In fact they are radically changing the media and
giving it a broader base by mainstreaming health,
environment, social, politics, economics and women’s
issues with their sensitive and insightful reporting.
Therefore, these concerns were discussed in four
On February 21th and 22nd, The International Centre working sessions :
Goa organised a two-day seminar on “Women in 1) Major problems of women journalists in print/
electronic media.
2) Women Editors: Will it Lead to Better Overall
Coverage?
3) Why coverage of women issues get a raw deal?
Inaugural Session of the Seminar
“Women in Media: Need for a Gender Code.”
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4) Need for Well Defined Gender Policy in Print/
Electronic Media.
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The International Centre, Goa
Ammu Joseph, Independent Journalist and Author and
Adv. Jamshed Mistry, Lawyer, Bombay High Court,
Devika Sequeira, Chief Correspondant, Deccan
Herald, Shruti Pandit, Editor, Goa Times, were some
of the eminent personalities who chaired the various
sessions. There were about 70 women journalists who
shared their views on the different issues discussed
during the seminar. Overall, the seminar was a huge
success with lots of suggestions and recommendations
from the participants.
Participants of the Seminar on
“Women in Media : Need for a Gender Code.”
ACTIVITIES
The International Centre Goa ushered the year 2010 gave us an overview of his work through a talk and
with a variety of activities ranging from a Dance an audiovisual presentation on sculpture followed by
Performance to a Quiz Competition.
an interactive session. The programme was enriched
with a practical demonstration in clay by Mr. Kavoor
The School of Drama, Kala Academy and Sadhanalaya himself.
presented a dance performance in Bharatnatyam. The
performance was directed and choreographed by Ms. A book reading session of “PERCEPTION, SOUND,
Padmashri Joshalkar and Dr. Sharmila Rao. On 11th PROSE AND POETRY” by its author Shri. Shubhanan
February, students of the School of Drama and their Gangal was held on 13th of January. Shri. Shubhanan
families as well as a large number of foreign tourists Gangal is also the author of several books on Marathi
attended the event at the pleasing site of Zaiyo-Zuiyo Language, creator of Marathi font called Gangal and
lawn.
founder of Shodh Marathica.
Renowned sculptor Thomas Kavoor, faculty at the
Department of fine arts at the University of Rajasthan
shared his art on the occasion of an artistic programme
organized by Indian Ateliers and the International
Centre, Goa.
The International Centre Goa and Sadhnalaya
organised an interactive session on “Introduction to
Pali and Buddhism in Daily Life” with Dr. B. Labh –
Professor and Head, Department of Buddhist Studies,
Jammu University, on 9th March.
An inter-college debate competition on “Whether 33%
Reservation Will Lead to Empowerment of Women
in India?” was organized by The International Centre
Goa on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Students of four colleges participated in the debate
giving an interesting perspective on the issue. There
were two speakers from each college, while one
student was for the motion, the other one spoke against
it. Afreen Razak from Saraswat College, Mapusa, who
won the competition defended the need for reservation
Sculpture Demonstration by Mr Thomas Kavoor
and said that “Men have had an upper hand in politics
Mr Kavoor’s works which are in the collection of for ages, yet things have only gone from bad to worse.
institutional and private collection in India and abroad, So why not give the women of India a chance, and
have been displayed at many group exhibitions held see what they are capable of?” Ms. Patricia Sethi,
across the country such as Gallery Romain Rolland, Mr. Derrick Almeida and Ms. Nandini Sahai were the
Alliance Française, New Delhi; Jehangir Art Gallery, judges for the competition.
Mumbai; Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai and On the evening of the 28th February 2010, quiz
67th Annual All India Exhibition of Art Organized by enthusiasts were delighted with the “Sunday Evening
AIFACS, New Delhi. On 20th February, the artist Quiz Club (SEQC) Mastermind Competition Finals”
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The International Centre, Goa
held at the Divli Lawns of The International Centre
Goa.
The International Centre Goa launched "Chess for
Everyone" under Chess Activity Centre every Friday
from 4.00 to 7.00 pm. People of all ages can participate
After the competition first began in October, with 27 : chess helps elders to release mental stress and it is
contestants who battled it out in the opening matches, a learning tool for children. Under, the guidance of
then went on with the semi-finals in December at ICG Shrikant Barve and Shravan Barve, participants can
with nine contenders, the three finalists Abhishek Jha, learn new chess rules and tricks every week and
Amit Shet and Vidyadhar Gadgil were all prepared become chess experts. Chess Tournaments are also
to fight for the title of Champion of the SEQC regularly organised.
Mastermind Finals.
The International Centre Goa launched its initiative
CLEAN GOA FOR GREEN
GOA on 12 December 2009
in the presence of Honorable
Chief Minister of Goa,
Shri Digambar Kamat and
Honorable Speaker of Goa
Legislative Assembly and
President of The International
Centre Goa, Shri Pratapsingh
Rane. The initiative aims to
increase public awareness on environment issues and
on the necessity of taking action to protect our planet.
Since the beginning of the year, The International
Students attending the debate competition on
Centre Goa has put the emphasis on environment
“Whether 33% Reservation Will Lead to Empowerment of
sensitive activities and has also started a recycling
Women in India?”on 8th March at ICG.
unit.
In a lively and vibrant ambiance, the evening started
with a Grand Slam quiz “Fourplay” open to all and A talk on “Practical Solutions to Waste Management”
conducted by Rajiv D'Silva. Then, it was time for by Clinton Vaz, social activist and expert on waste
the three finalists to compete. At the end of the management, was held on 9th January 2010. Contrary
specialized subject rounds, Vidyadhar Gadgil was to what one can think, solutions for the protection of
first, then came Abhishek Jha and Amit Shet. After our environment are not necessary complex. Indeed,
the general knowledge rounds, Amit Shet ended Clinton Vaz explained how easy it is to compost
up with a score of 13 and Abishek Jha totalized the organic waste. In the hour long presentation,
19 points, Gadgil Vidyadhar had the exceptional he also showed some of the best practices in waste
score of 27 which was the highest in the entire management which are followed in rest of the country
championship. The latter was then given the title of and world. The talk was intended for ICG staff but
Champion of the SEQC Mastermind Competition was open for all and was attended by 20-25 people
along with a trophy given away by the chief guest especially students. Mr. Vaz has also agreed to guide
Rangel-Ribeiro, litterateur, musicologist and Mensa ICG to set up its own composting unit in the premises,
member.
which as of today is today operational.
The three finalists experiencing the tension of the
Mastermind Competition.
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On the same line, an interactive session on “Protecting
our Planet through Sound Waste Management
Practices” was organised by The International Centre
Goa and Sadhanalaya with Ms. Vidya Pratap, Director,
The USIEF Satellite Information Centre, Manipal
University. After the talk, the participants were taken
around The International Centre Goa campus to be
shown the recycling units.
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The International Centre, Goa
FILM WORKSHOP “ADAPTATION OF LITERATURE IN CINEMA.”
Indian
Independent
F i l m m a k e r ' s
Worldwide
(IIFW),
The
International
Centre Goa (ICG) and
Media Information and
Communication Centre
of
India
(MICCI)
organised a two-day
Film Workshop on
Adaptation of Literature
in Cinema at ICG.
are some of the challenges a director can face. As Ms
Deepa Sahi stated, conveying emotions which are
originally described with hundreds of words, only
through expression shows the remarkable work of an
actress.
In another session, the challenges of adapting literature
in cinema were explained through the example of
‘Maya Memsaab’, an adaptation of the French novel
“Madame Bovary” written by Gustave Flaubert in
1927. When it comes to adapting literature in cinema,
transcending the cultural boundaries, and adapting the
time so that people can still identify with the characters
The event was the first of a series of Film Workshops
which will be organised in collaboration with Indian
Independent Filmmakers Worldwide, a not for profit
association started in Goa in order to promote, support
and nurture independent cinema by Indian filmmakers
and create a global network.
Ketan Mehta and participants at the workshop
Speakers and participants at the workshop
On the second day of the workshop, professionals
talked about possible synergies between Indian and
European cinemas and of International Co-Production.
Eric, from Kerner labs, USA expressed his view about
the 3D generation which is coming up today.
The audience mainly composed of students aspiring
to make their career in films were delighted with the
“The aim of the
workshop is to perceive and analyse the patterns speakers’ pertinent interventions. Among them were
which are emerging” articulated the renowned director Vipin Sharma (actor), Bhuvan Lall (filmmaker) and
Ketan Mehta, main speaker of the program. Indeed, Jagmohan Mundra (director).
Deepa Sahi (actress and producer), Agnes Fernandes On this occasion, Ketan Mehta also showcased his
(scriptwriter) and Ketan Mehta himself all agreed to film ‘Rang Rasiya’ that is based on the 19th century
say that the film industry is going through a crisis due painter, Raja Ravi Varma’s life. The movie was
to a fast changing world and its recent phenomena such screened at Maquinez Palace, Entertainment Society
as globalization and the technological revolution.
of Goa.
BUILDING INTERCULTURAL BRIDGES
It is globally recognized that universal brotherhood,
free exchange of ideas, sharing of cultures and the
pursuit of happiness by mankind noble causes which
act as a cement for bringing harmony and accord
between people of differing sex, races, nationalities,
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caste, creed and religions.
Promoting intercultural understanding is part of the
mission that The International Centre Goa has set
itself. The “Japan Festival 2010” and the “Classical
Italian Films Festival” showed some facets of the
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The International Centre, Goa
world’s cultural wealth.
Over 300 students and people from different parts
of Goa attended the five days “Japan Festival 2010”
organised by The Consulate General of Japan, Mumbai,
Japan Foundation and The International Centre Goa.
The event hosted an exhibition of Japanese Kites and
Tops as well as Anime screening.
Introduced in Japan some 1200 years ago, kites
represent the traditional way of celebrating Japanese
festivities such as the New Year. Traditional Japanese
kites are usually made of rice paper and bamboo,
beautifully decorated with different shapes or symbols
such as fish, birds, butterflies, dragons or portraits
of historical and religious figures. Spinning tops are
also very popular in Japan with around 1000 different
kinds being made in the country.
Besides the exhibition, one could enjoy Japanese
Anime through “Doraemon : Nobita’s Dinosaur
2006”, an animation film of 112 minutes. Doraemon,
appointed as the first “Anime Ambassador”, is the
brainchild of the late Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo
Abiko, who created the original manga under
the pen name of “Fujiko Fujio”. Today, Japanase
“Ladri di Biciclette” (1948) by Vittorio de Sica is a
Anime is gaining attention and popularity and is
1948 Italian neorealist film. The movie tells the story
enjoyed by millions of children and adults all over
of a poor man searching the streets of Rome for his
the world.
stolen bicycle, which he needs to be able to work.
The “Japan Festival 2010” depicted different cultural The film was given an Academy Honorary Award in
aspects of the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Indeed, while 1950. “La Dolce Vita” (1960) directed by Federico
flying kites and spinning tops is a tradition dating Fellini tells the story of a journalist and man-aboutback to hundreds of years, Japanese Anime is part of town, Marcello who struggles to find his place in
the world. Torn between the allure of Rome's elite
the modern and popular culture of the country.
social scene and the stifling domesticity offered by
The Indo-Italian Chamber in collaboration with his girlfriend, all the while searching for a way to
Italian Cultural Institute, New Delhi, the Consulate of become a serious writer. The movie was rewarded
Italy in Goa, The International Centre Goa and Guala with a Palme d’Or at the Festival of Cannes. Finally,
Closures (India) organised the “Classical Italian Films “I Soliti Ignoti” (1958) by Mario Monicelli depicts
Festival” from March 5 to 7. The event was part of a motley quintet of inept small-time thieves bungle
the 8th edition of Festa Italiana. On the occasion, four the burglary of a local pawnshop in this Italian
masterpieces of Italian Cinema were screened.
farce.
The first movie screened was “Roma Città Aperta”
(1945), directed by Roberto Rossellini. The story
is set during the Nazi Occupation and focuses on
the chase by the Gestapo of the resistance leader
Giorgio Manfreni aka Luigi Ferraris. The film won
the Grand Prize at the Festival of Cannes in 1946.
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“Classical Italian Film Festival” was inaugurated in
the presence of the Former Chairman of the British
Institute of Films, Mr Denis Forman and the Director
of the Italian Cultural Institute, New Delhi, Dr Angela
Trezza.
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The International Centre, Goa
ICG managing TEAM
Pramod Naik:
ACCOUNTS MANAGER
MANAGEMENT
Nandini Sahai: DIRECTOR
Nandini Sahai is a distinguished development
journalist with more than 30 years of experience.
She founded MICCI with the support of some likeminded academicians, bureaucrats, media and communication
experts. She is one of the leading Right to Information (RTI) advocates
and has also worked with human rights and development.
Khwaja Ayub Zickriya:
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
He is a graduate in Electrical Engineering and
Masters in Industrial Engineering. Mr. Zickriya
has a rich and international experience in the field
of industry of over two decades. He joined the family of ICG as
Asst. General Manager since 1st Oct 2007.
NEW HONORARY MEMBER
ICG 8504
H.E. Dr. SHIVINDER Singh SIDHU
NEW LIFE MEMBERS
Mr. Naik is a graduate in Commerce from the Goa
University and a Master's in Advance Accountancy
and Advance Secretarial Practice, he also
obtained a Diploma in Financial Management and is presently
pursuing MBA in Finance. He joined ICG as Accounts Manager
in October 2007 with 17 years of experience at managerial level
in the field of Accounts and Administration.
Arjun Halarnkar:
PROGRAMME MANAGER
Mr. Halarnkar is holds a Masters Degree in
Political Science from Goa University. He has a
rich and varied experience in managing projects.
He was appointed as a Research Associate at ‘South Asia
Together’, at ICG in March 2004 and was appointed Programme
Manager at ICG in December 2004.
Governor of Goa
Goa
ICG 2228
Mr. Dilip Padgaonkar
Consulting Editor, The Times of India
New Delhi
ICG 2229
Mr. Ravindra Kadam
Advocate General of Maharashtra, High Court,
Bombay.
Mumbai
Editorial Advisor/Analyst.
New Delhi
ICG 2230
Mr. VINOD DUA
ICG 2231
Mrs. MEGHNA GULZAR
Film maker, writer.
Mumbai
ICG 2232
Mr. GULZAR
Film maker , writer, poet.
Mumbai
ICG 2233
Mr. NEERAJ PRASAD
Lead Specialist, Carbon Finance Unit, The
World Bank.
USA
ICG 2234
Mr. RAJ PUROHIT
Advocate.
Mumbai
ICG 2235
Mrs. SUNDARI NANDA
Inspector General, Goa Police.
Goa
Dr. ARCHANA KAKODKAR
(Retired) Documentation Officer, CLAS,
Goa University; Ex-Librarian, Goa Legislative
Assembly; Presently guiding teaches for M.Phil
& Phd in Library & Information Science.
Goa
ICG 2236
For details about membership, please visit our website : www.internationalcentregoa.com
Goa Dialogues
The International Centre, Goa
Published by : The International Centre Goa, Goa University Road, Dona Paula, Goa – 403 004, India. Tel: +91 832 2452805-10.
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The International Centre, Goa