The International Centre Goa – Newsletter January-March 2010

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.

That’s not all! Even though ICG is already beautiful with its lush greenery and landscaped gardens, fountain and fish-lotus pond, we

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.

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 !

— NANDINI SAHAI

What’s new on the MenuOur 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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EDITORIAL

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFTHE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE GOA

PRESIDENT: Mr. Pratapsingh Raoji Rane,

Speaker, Legislative Assembly of Goa,and former Chief Minister of Goa.

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,Prominent Lawyer.

Dr. Ligia Noronha,Senior Fellow of The Energy and Resources Institute

(TERI), India, and Director of the Resourcesand 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.

Dr. Rudra Prasad PradhanAssistant Professor

Humanities & Management Group,BITS Pilani, Goa Campus

Mr. Sanjay SrivastavaChief Secretary Govt. of Goa

Govt. Representative

Ms. Nandini SahaiMember Secretary, Director (ICG)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFTHE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE GOA

LIBRARY INAUGURATIONLIBRARY 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.

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.

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.

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CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

An Interactive session on “Decoding the Budget 2011” with Mr. Manguirish Pai Raiker, Vice-President, 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.

General Vinod Saighal, delivered a talk on “Global Terrorism and Global Cooperation”. He has retired from the Indian Army and authored several articles on 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.

On February 21th and 22nd, The International Centre Goa organised a two-day seminar on “Women in

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 socio-cultural 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 rich region, their contributions to the socio-political and economic development of society are also neglected. The issue of gender should be at the forefront of discussions concerning freedom of expression.

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 working sessions :

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?

4) Need for Well Defined Gender Policy in Print/ Electronic Media.

Major General Vinod Saighal.

Inaugural Session of the Seminar“Women in Media: Need for a Gender Code.”

Sonia Kuncalienker (General Manager, Prudent Media Pvt. Ltd.) expressing her views on women issues.

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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.”

ACTIVITIESThe International Centre Goa ushered the year 2010 with a variety of activities ranging from a Dance Performance to a Quiz Competition.

The School of Drama, Kala Academy and Sadhanalaya presented a dance performance in Bharatnatyam. The performance was directed and choreographed by Ms. Padmashri Joshalkar and Dr. Sharmila Rao. On 11th February, students of the School of Drama and their families as well as a large number of foreign tourists attended the event at the pleasing site of Zaiyo-Zuiyo lawn.

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.

Mr Kavoor’s works which are in the collection of institutional and private collection in India and abroad, have been displayed at many group exhibitions held across the country such as Gallery Romain Rolland, Alliance Française, New Delhi; Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai; Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai and 67th Annual All India Exhibition of Art Organized by AIFACS, New Delhi. On 20th February, the artist

gave us an overview of his work through a talk and an audiovisual presentation on sculpture followed by an interactive session. The programme was enriched with a practical demonstration in clay by Mr. Kavoor himself.

A book reading session of “PERCEPTION, SOUND, PROSE AND POETRY” by its author Shri. Shubhanan Gangal was held on 13th of January. Shri. Shubhanan Gangal is also the author of several books on Marathi Language, creator of Marathi font called Gangal and founder of Shodh Marathica.

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 and said that “Men have had an upper hand in politics for ages, yet things have only gone from bad to worse. So why not give the women of India a chance, and see what they are capable of?” Ms. Patricia Sethi, Mr. Derrick Almeida and Ms. Nandini Sahai were the judges for the competition.

On the evening of the 28th February 2010, quiz enthusiasts were delighted with the “Sunday Evening Quiz Club (SEQC) Mastermind Competition Finals”

Sculpture Demonstration by Mr Thomas Kavoor

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held at the Divli Lawns of The International Centre Goa.

After the competition first began in October, with 27 contestants who battled it out in the opening matches, then went on with the semi-finals in December at ICG with nine contenders, the three finalists Abhishek Jha, Amit Shet and Vidyadhar Gadgil were all prepared to fight for the title of Champion of the SEQC Mastermind Finals.

In a lively and vibrant ambiance, the evening started with a Grand Slam quiz “Fourplay” open to all and conducted by Rajiv D'Silva. Then, it was time for the three finalists to compete. At the end of the specialized subject rounds, Vidyadhar Gadgil was first, then came Abhishek Jha and Amit Shet. After the general knowledge rounds, Amit Shet ended up with a score of 13 and Abishek Jha totalized 19 points, Gadgil Vidyadhar had the exceptional score of 27 which was the highest in the entire championship. The latter was then given the title of Champion of the SEQC Mastermind Competition along with a trophy given away by the chief guest Rangel-Ribeiro, litterateur, musicologist and Mensa member.

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 : chess helps elders to release mental stress and it is a learning tool for children. Under, the guidance of Shrikant Barve and Shravan Barve, participants can learn new chess rules and tricks every week and become chess experts. Chess Tournaments are also regularly organised.

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 Centre Goa has put the emphasis on environment sensitive activities and has also started a recycling unit.

A talk on “Practical Solutions to Waste Management” by Clinton Vaz, social activist and expert on waste management, was held on 9th January 2010. Contrary to what one can think, solutions for the protection of our environment are not necessary complex. Indeed, Clinton Vaz explained how easy it is to compost the organic waste. In the hour long presentation, he also showed some of the best practices in waste management which are followed in rest of the country and world. The talk was intended for ICG staff but was open for all and was attended by 20-25 people especially students. Mr. Vaz has also agreed to guide ICG to set up its own composting unit in the premises, which as of today is today operational.

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.

Students attending the debate competition on“Whether 33% Reservation Will Lead to Empowerment of

Women in India?”on 8th March at ICG.

The three finalists experiencing the tension of theMastermind Competition.

Goa Dialogues 5 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.

“The aim of the workshop is to perceive and analyse the patterns which are emerging” articulated the renowned director Ketan Mehta, main speaker of the program. Indeed, Deepa Sahi (actress and producer), Agnes Fernandes (scriptwriter) and Ketan Mehta himself all agreed to say that the film industry is going through a crisis due to a fast changing world and its recent phenomena such as globalization and the technological revolution.

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

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.

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 speakers’ pertinent interventions. Among them were Vipin Sharma (actor), Bhuvan Lall (filmmaker) and Jagmohan Mundra (director).

On this occasion, Ketan Mehta also showcased his film ‘Rang Rasiya’ that is based on the 19th century painter, Raja Ravi Varma’s life. The movie was screened at Maquinez Palace, Entertainment Society of Goa.

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

BUILDING INTERCULTURAL BRIDGESIt 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,

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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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 Anime is gaining attention and popularity and is enjoyed by millions of children and adults all over the world.

The “Japan Festival 2010” depicted different cultural aspects of the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Indeed, while flying kites and spinning tops is a tradition dating back to hundreds of years, Japanese Anime is part of the modern and popular culture of the country.

The Indo-Italian Chamber in collaboration with Italian Cultural Institute, New Delhi, the Consulate of Italy in Goa, The International Centre Goa and Guala Closures (India) organised the “Classical Italian Films Festival” from March 5 to 7. The event was part of the 8th edition of Festa Italiana. On the occasion, four masterpieces of Italian Cinema were screened.

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.

“Ladri di Biciclette” (1948) by Vittorio de Sica is a 1948 Italian neorealist film. The movie tells the story of a poor man searching the streets of Rome for his stolen bicycle, which he needs to be able to work. The film was given an Academy Honorary Award in 1950. “La Dolce Vita” (1960) directed by Federico Fellini tells the story of a journalist and man-about-town, Marcello who struggles to find his place in the world. Torn between the allure of Rome's elite social scene and the stifling domesticity offered by his girlfriend, all the while searching for a way to become a serious writer. The movie was rewarded with a Palme d’Or at the Festival of Cannes. Finally, “I Soliti Ignoti” (1958) by Mario Monicelli depicts a motley quintet of inept small-time thieves bungle the burglary of a local pawnshop in this Italian farce.

“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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Published by : The International Centre Goa, Goa University Road, Dona Paula, Goa – 403 004, India. Tel: +91 832 2452805-10.

For details about membership, please visit our website : www.internationalcentregoa.com

GOA DIALOGUESTHE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, GOA

NEW HONORARY MEMBER ICG 8504 H.E. Dr. SHIVINDER SINGH SIDHU Governor of Goa Goa

NEW LIFE MEMBERS 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

ICG 2230 Mr. VINOD DUA Editorial Advisor/Analyst. New Delhi

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

ICG 2236 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

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ICG MANAGING TEAMMANAGEMENT

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 like-minded 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.

Pramod Naik:ACCOUNTS MANAGER

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.