In an earlier post, I had written about how villagers in Chandor (Goa) have put together a proposal on how the village should develop over the next few years. It is considered to be the first such initiative in Goa.
The plan titled Chandor Ganv Vhodd Zaum! is now available online. Click to read the comprehensive plan.
WHTour.org creates and maintains a documentary image bank with panoramic pictures and interactive virtual reality movies for some sites registered as World Heritage by UNESCO.
You just need QuickTime on your computer to view the excellent 360 degree images of the heritage sites.
For example, have a look at the world heritage monuments (churches) of Old Goa.
Say "community-driven village development" and what immediately comes to mind is Anna Hazare's hugely successful initiative in Ralegaon Siddhi.
Now, in what is considered to be a first in Goa, villagers from Chandor (my native place) have put together a "Five Year People’s Plan for the Sustainable Development of Chandor (2007-2012)."
The development plan is a comprehensive document (titled Chandor ganv vhodd zaum) that lays down a proposal on how the village of Chandor should develop over the next few years. The plan was put together "with the active participation of all the people for whom it is intended."
Being the first such substantive community-driven initiative in Goa, it has got a fair amount of media coverage in Goa:
This is a follow-up to my earlier post on Nike's cricket ad that's currently shown on Indian television.
Agnello Dias, Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director, J Walter Thompson, is the creative mind behind the ad. The Goan music and Konkani lyrics were also his idea. It looks like Agnello is a Goan.
The song in the ad is rendered by Ella Castellino (another Goan?). The lyrics of the song (translated into English) are:
Rediff has a story containing the above nuggets and other details on how the ad was made.Wait, partner, wait
First let me play
If you don't play, I'll keep chasing you all day
Our game is like this only
Where we have no time to think
It is the game of cat and mouse
That I have begun to love
And in the falling running breaking
My destiny is entwined
In a recent post on Goanet, FN pieced together some quotable quotes on Goa. Here are the quotes...
This town was very large, with goodly edifices and handsome streets and squares, surrounded by walls and towers. There is a very good fortress in it, and in the environs many gardens and orchards of fine trees and fruits, and many pools of good water.
Have you seen the new Nike "cricket" ad on Indian television?
The audio track for the ad has a Konkani song. Konkani? Yes, Konkani! (Konkani is the pre-dominant language of Goa; it's also spoken in other parts of the Konkan region).
The original Konkani song Bebdo (drunkard) was written and composed by the inimitable Goan music maestro Chris Perry and rendered by Goa's nightingale Lorna.
Though I couldn't figure out why the ad makers have used the Konkani song (the original lyrics are modified), I have no complaints. One rarely gets to hear Konkani on national television! Of course, the pulsating rhythm of the song does make heads turn towards the ad.
Earlier this year, Frederick Noronha, an independent journalist based in Goa, compiled and released a list of 101 "cybergoans" to acknowledge the contributions by people of Goan origin, regardless of where they are located, and in what field they work. The list is largely based on information emerging in cyberspace.
Undoubtedly, I believe it's a great effort by FN (as he's known in cyberspace). The list throws up quite a lot of interesting tidbits about the successes of Goans around the world.
Of course, FN himself admits that the list is a subjective view, and certainly not the last word on the subject. "But we do need to start recognising the contribution of people from this small region... where ever they are located, and in whichever field," adds FN.
Click to view the complete 101 cybergoans honours list.
Quiz question.
In 1962, who was the supreme sprinter in the whole of the Commonwealth?
No kidding, it was someone with roots in Chandor (Goa): Seraphino Antao.
In 1962, at the Commonwealth Games in Perth, Seraphino (running for Kenya) won the 100 yards and 220 yards golden double. It's reported that Seraphino still remains the only Kenyan to have ever won gold in the short sprints at any world level.
Fondly known as "Gazelle" in his youth, we can perhaps call Seraphino the fastest Goan in the world!
Seraphino was born in Chandor; he grew up in and ran for Kenya; he currently resides in the UK.
The Goan Voice UK has a link that includes articles about Seraphino in the media.
For a detailed list of Seraphino's athletic feathers in the cap, see the Sporty Goans blog.
A silly-face pug follows a boy in the playground, the room, the road, up the stairs, over a bridge, back into the room and the tag line reads: ‘Wherever you go our network follows.’
Simple, effective. And quite spontaneous.
If you haven't guessed it as yet, that's the Hutch television ad for mobile services.
But why am I so interested in the ad? It's just that the dog in the ad is from Goa!
The creative team at OgilvyOne wanted a cute mutt and they found ‘Chika’ with a couple in Goa. The boy in the Hutch ad is the son of a filmmaker. The duo got along so famously that the film was shot spot on! No retakes.
Read the story about four-footed models in The Financial Express.
The Goan Voice UK is one of the best sources for "Goan" news stories emerging from around the world. Eddie Fernandes, who runs the service, has the uncanny ability to unearth stories about Goa and Goans appearing in the vast expanse of cyberspace.
While many of the news articles may not interest Goans outside the UK, a lot of the other news stories highlight different facets of Goa and the achievements and successes of Goans around the world.
Keep up the good work Eddie!
We now have a Chandor Cyberforum. Chandor, of course, is my native Goan village known for its scenic beauty. The cybergroup is intended to be a mailing list, discussion forum, and newsgroup for current and past residents and lovers of Chandor from around the world.
The group is still new; so nothing much is happening there right now. If you are interested in the Goan village, do join the group and help make it vibrant.
