The craft catalyst Pupul Jayakar nee Mehta was an Indian writer, social worker, philanthropist, revivalist, cultural consultant and activist, known for putting traditional Indian arts, crafts and textiles on the global platform and making sustainable weaving, handlooms and handicrafts in post-independent India. Pupul was a combination of disarming honesty, blithe spirits, wide-ranging erudition and articulation. Her unconventional ideas earned her criticism and even abuse but she refused to budge. She believed in the credibility of working with smaller groups. Born in a middle class Gujarati Brahmin family, in Etawah, UP, the transferrable job of her ICS father enabled her to absorb early…
Author: shubhangi
The actor who didn’t have to act Vikram Gokhale (14 November 1945 – 26 November 2022) was a well-known Indian film, television and stage actor, director and writer, noted for his roles in Marathi theatre, and Marathi and Hindi films. An actor beyond boundaries, his skills were legendary. Oscillating between the many worlds of entertainment, he was a creative and versatile actor. He was so much into his characters that one never saw Vikram Gokhale, but only the characters he portrayed. With an ever- smiling countenance, he was also a person with a big heart and broad social consciousness. He was unmatched in skills…
Brave son of Indian Navy Firdaus Mogal was born on 15 October 1974 to Darabshah and Armin Mogal in Ahmedabad. Eldest of three sons, he completed his schooling from Maneckji Cooper Educational Trust and joined the National Defence Academy in 1992. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 Jan 1998. Adventurous, he volunteered for the submarine arm and qualified the Basic Submariner course with flying colours. His illustrious career included appointments as Anti Submarine Warfare Officer on-board INS Shalki, the Training Coordinator at Submarine School, INS Satvahana, Vishakhapatnam and the Executive Officer of INS Shankush. For his professional…
Development is an antipole for tourism in tourism-driven Goa. Manu Shrivastava paints the side of this small state where development is confined to a few pockets and restricted to affluent tourists visiting for professional reasons. It is the locals from the interiors of Goa, especially North Goa, Central Goa and South, who define development. And that essentially is one that panders to the quintessential Goan tourist to whom only privacy matters. Tourists arrive in Goa to blend into the dark, get high without a worry and let his/her hair down in the din of psychedelic music Goa depends on two…
Although the Portuguese colonial influence lingers in Goa, its battle for liberation, “popularly called the Goa Liberation Movement, is a noteworthy chapter in its history. What began as a tiny spark snowballed into a fire between 1940 and 1961. It was a struggle where people from all walks of life fiercely fought to bring Goa out of the colonial shackles. Manu Shrivastava traces the history. A file pic of the Goa Liberation Movement Just like the Indian independence movement that sought freedom from the clutches of the British Raj, the Goa Liberation Movement fought to end the Portuguese colonial rule…
Goans form a sizeable portion of Indian diaspora, yet they are strongly connected with their roots in India. Alba Silveira finds that they have jealously guarded their Goan ethos and identity even on foreign soil. While the Goans have migrated to several countries around the world, their presence can be predominantly seen in UAE, USA and Saudi Arabia Of the global Indian diaspora, Goans form a significant portion and they continue to keep strong ties with their native land The Indian diaspora is one of the largest in the world (about 17.5 million) and constitutes about six percent of the…
The fact that Goa has a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and draws a stream of tourists all through the year is a testimony that it is on world’s radar. Built by the Portuguese colonists between the 16th and 17th centuries, these now have qualified the state as the ‘Rome of Orient’, says Anushka Singh. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a revered Catholic site that houses the remains of Saint Francis Xavier (São Francisco Xavier) Goa is more than just a vacation destination. It’s an experience in itself and there’s something for everyone. Other than the many beaches…
True to its multi-splendoured image, Goa also hosts a myriad festivals which are a reflection on its patented culture and traditions. From religious to pure fun and carnivals to processions, it has a wide spectrum that has Goan feel written all over them. Nandini Rao explores this colourful side of Goan bonhomie and revelry. The Shigmo Parade held annually on the streets of Goa is a grand affair Goa is one of the few places that offer a peek into the state’s rich traditions with a modern appeal to be able to cater to visitors of all kinds. Not many…
Goa’s scenic template might have been dominated by its beaches but its idiom goes far beyond. Tucked away along its length and breadth of west coast are several islands. Its significant riverine geography facilitates islands that can be visited for their shrines, festivals, and rich biodiversity. Ritika Seth informs how they have stood the rigours of time. There are many islands that constitute the diverse landscape of Goa Everyone knows about the many beaches of Goa, the popular ones and the not-so-popular ones. Few, however, are aware of the many islands that constitute the diverse landscape of the state. Goa…
What lends Goa its unique picturesque beauty is also its flora and fauna that abounds because of its typical topography and climatic conditions. Kriti Kalra sketches a Goa which has congenial conditions for wildlife and nature to sustain and flourish – an ideal situation where humans and nature co-exist in peace and harmony. Chorao island houses Goa’s only bird sanctuary – Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary One of the most biodiverse regions in India, Goa is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Varying altitudes, weather conditions and soil types mean there is diversity in wildlife and trees.…