FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY An ISO 9001:2008 Certified Organisation Volume III, Issue IV Newsletter October - December, 2012

Upcoming Highlights

Talks by eminent personalities: • Narayan Murthy • G. Parthasarthy • Lord Meghnad Desai • Azim Premji All our programmes are now on Youtube. Visit - http://www.youtube.com/user/icggoa?feature=watch

Goa Dialogues 1 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 1 07-01-2013 15:11:49 Director’s Message

Dear Friends, Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy 2013, in an India where there is peace, justice and equality !

Two small words-justice and equality, yet they hold the key for a year which we hope will be different from the one which just went by. The insensitive brutality of the horrific rape left everyone stunned and reeling with shock. I wonder how many generations it will take to change the mindset of these men, who not only rape their womenfolk, but also kill their daughters and sell their sisters to the highest bidder! Enough has been written and said on this in the national media. But it is still not enough. We also intend to start a series of discussions and debate at the Centre, focusing more on the laws pertaining to women and its implementation and awareness, especially amongst the youth, and also try in our own small way to try and change the feudal mindset which treats women as second class citizens. For us, the year ended with another successful Goa Arts and Literary Festival - this time we focused on Kashmir, its literature, music and theatre. M.K.Raina, the doyen of Kashmiri theatre, came down with his troupe of 30 artists who performed at the Governor’s palace as well as at the Kala Academy. Shri Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, flew down especially for the Inaugural. Many authors and journalists also graced the occasion from the valley. For all this, we are grateful to His Excellency the Governor of Goa, Shri Bharat Vir Wanchoo and Shri Omar Abdullah, for their generous support throughout in organizing the festival. From its inception in 2010, the Festival has strongly emphasized ‘different ways of belonging’, by showcasing the best artists, musicians, writers and poets from the At the High Tea for the GALF Delegates hosted by zones of most profound confluence at the margins of H. E. the Governor of Goa, at the Cabo Raj Niwas India. More than 75 delegates from across the country and abroad were hosted by us during this Festival. For those who could not make it, I urge you to go on ‘youtube’ and see the live sessions. Despite our outstanding list of delegates, we were somehow very disappointed by the number of participants. Though some sessions were packed, there were many which could have done with a few hundred more people in the audience, especially students. They would have benefitted immensely by interacting with such luminaries. How often do you find Jatin Das, Jeet Thayil or a Kiran Nagarkar sitting by themselves sipping tea, in our lawns, not averse to a little tete a tete ? Come on friends, grab this opportunity next time! 2012 also saw a spectacular lineup of celebrities visiting the Centre. From Anil Kakodkar, S.Y.Quraishi, Kiran Karnik, Maroof Raza to Shailesh Gandhi, we had them all coming to share their thoughts with us. In the new year too, we intend to get you many more dynamic speakers like Narayan Murthy, G.Parthasarthy, Lord Meghnad Desai and many more. There will be exciting panel discussions and seminars on topics pertaining to India and South Asia, that need urgently to be discussed, thought provoking films from around the world, cultural activities spanning a wide range from music to theatre—all in all I promise you a very provocative and interesting year, packed with action. But I also need a promise from you that you will attend in large numbers. So hope to see you all at ICG during the year. I wish you good health and happiness always!

Nandini Sahai. Goa Dialogues 2 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 2 07-01-2013 15:11:50 Seminars

The IX Annual South Asia Media Summit on ‘Government Right to Information: A Curbing Media? Regulation v/s Self Regulation of Media in Potent Weapon Against South Asia’ Corruption The The IX Annual South Asia Media Summit on ‘Government Curbing Media? Regulation v/s Self Regulation of Media in A regional seminar on Right South Asia’ was held from October 14 -16 in association with to Information: A Potent Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Media Information Communication Weapon Against Corruption Centre of India. H. E. Shri. Bharat Vir Wanchoo, Governor of Goa was held from October 28 -29 inaugurated the summit. in association with Friedrich Eminent responsible media professionals/subject specialists Ebert Stiftung and Media from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated and deliberated on how best to Information Communication preserve the dignity and integrity of the media in South Asia. Centre of India. Subhash The sessions of the summit were: Chandra Agarwal – The • Market Driven / Commercialised / Corporatised Media: Change Maker, RTI Crusader Huge Compromise on Media Ethics ? holding the Guinness World • Governments’ Dilemma: Total Freedom of Media or Regulation/Control Record for writing ‘Letters to • Self Regulation of Media: Farce or Reality the Editor (Delhi) delivered the keynote address. • Social Media: Absolute Freedom vs. Regulation The sessions of the seminar were: • Broadcast Content: Regulation vs. Self Regulation • Strengthening Participatory Democracy: How Village • Recommendations and Future Course of Action: An Open Panchayats can become Information Centres? Forum • Is the Govt’s changing attitude a blow for the RTI? A GOA DECLARATION as expressive of the sense of the deliberations at the Summit was formed as follows: • Fighting Corruption through RTI: Challenges faced by activists and the common man in Goa • Deep concern about the increasing influence of the State, political parties, commercial interests, extremist elements and • Exclusive Interactive Session of Goa RTI Forum with Subhash moral crusaders on the media establishments in South Asia Chandra Agarwal • Recognise the need to initiate processes to enable Social Eminent RTI activists from different parts of Goa, media persons, Audits to provide platforms to the readers to evaluate and government officials and other social spirited citizens participated comment on the content and editorial policies of different in the seminar. media houses. • Seek appropriate and effective mechanism for self regulation and promote professional journalism that is always better and to be preferred over State control. • Concerned over reducing role of journalists in control over Top Right: Subhash Chandra Agarwal – The Change Maker, RTI content and editorial space Crusader • Issues generated by the emergence of social media need more Below: Media professionals / speakers at the IX Annual South study for understanding this new dimension of the media and Asia Media Summit with H. E Governor of Goa, Shri Bharat Vir to evolve appropriate mechanisms for regulation. Wanchoo and Shri Pratapsingh Rane, President, ICG.

Goa Dialogues 3 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 3 07-01-2013 15:11:50 Talk cum Interactive Session Lectures Workshops “Spiritual Alchemy and 1st World RTI and Good Parliament on Spirituality in Governance by Shailesh India” Gandhi A talk cum interactive session on Continuing with our series ‘Spiritual Alchemy and 1st World Parliament on Spirituality in India’ of Lectures on Good by Darryl D’Souza, Therapist, Governance, Mr. Shailesh Essene Master & Author of ‘Become Gandhi, eminent RTI Healthy or Extinct’ was held on activist and Former Central October 21. Information Commissioner of India, delivered a “Energy Matrix Astrology” lecture on ‘RTI and Good A talk cum interactive session on ‘Energy Matrix Astrology’ with Governance’ on December Shivo Osho, inspirational astrologer, 1. was held on October 26. Mr. Gandhi urged the With the mission of turning public to stand for their right astrology into the tool for making right choices in the current and in many instances, question the judiciary system as well. He chaotic environment, he is the opined that the Right to Information is even more important than the inventor of Energy Matrix Astrology, Freedom of Expression. He listed possible norms that could help which provides unparalleled accuracy to astrological predictions. He is also make the RTI process easier. Disposal of cases pending should be making immense efforts to popularize dealt with quickly limiting it to 5,000 per year if possible. He also the scientific dimension of astrology suggested publicly holding interviews of short-listed candidates and hence making it free from the fear for the post of IC’s for clearer, transparent functioning. psychosis and superstitions. Shivo is also an astrology coach with unique “Back to the Future” by teaching methods and also hosted a TV show named ‘ Bhavishya Aapka’. Dr. G Sreekumar Menon He unravels the complex mysteries of Continuing with our series astrology in a simple, interesting and of Lectures by eminent practical manner. people, Dr. G Sreekumar Menon, IRS, Commissioner of Customs, Central Excise BUZZ and Service Tax (Appeals) - ICG is now an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Goa, gave a presentation organisation. on “Back to the Future” on - Most of our major programmes are now available on December 8. Youtube. - http://www.youtube.com/user/icggoa?feature=watch He is the author of several - ICG is now affiliated to India Habitat Centre, articles including a book New Delhi. Members watch this space for rules and ‘Chasing the Dragon” on regulations. Narcotics & Psychotropic - Aura Ayurveda & Spa at ICG now open. Indulge substances. As Commissioner Appeals, he has created a record in yourself in treatments that pamper, rejuvenate and the Customs & Excise Department by passing over 6000 Orders- re-balance. in-Appeal. While at Chennai, he has passed 1000 Orders-in-Appeal - ICG Membership OPEN only for a short period. successively for two years at a stretch. Apply now. He spoke at length about the invention of Aeroplanes, their types, - Apply for a Spouse Membership Card / Duplicate construction, parts, the Pilot, aerial routes, power and mirrors as Card. mentioned in the Mahabharatha and other epics. Also about some - Life Membership can now be transferred to the fascinating facts that the public rarely know about like - Spouse of the life member after his / her demise. a) The secret of making planes motionless, b) The secret of making planes invisible and a lot more. Please check http://www.internationalcentregoa.com for He also spoke about various myths, Sanskrit v/s Science, details. extraterrestrial beings, UFOs, etc.

Goa Dialogues 4 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 4 07-01-2013 15:11:50 Workshops

“Creating Positivity “Right to Information: 6th Workshop on Good Governance” Within” The 6th RTI workshop on Good Governance on ‘Sports Promotion As part of the Joy of & Associations’ was held on October 21. The workshop was Giving Week, a power organized in association with Goa RTI Forum. The discussion packed workshop on focused on the 10 disciplines of sports which will be played at ‘Creating Positivity the Lusofonia Games in Goa in 2013. As always this workshop Within’ was conducted provided an opportunity to RTI activists to come together, meet and by Mr. Amey Hegde, work in an organized manner. The activists shared the information Corporate Behavioral acquired through RTI Act with fellow activist in different ways. Trainer & Management The sharing of information was to achieve greater goal of good Consultant on October and transparent governance. 7. The key objective of this programme was to “Growing Organic Winter provide individuals with Vegetables in Goa” simple techniques for An Intermediate Level increasing confidence, positivity and happiness by remembering Workshop on Growing one’s strengths, developing an ‘attitude of gratitude’ and by Organic Winter Vegetables focusing on one’s goals. in Goa was held on October 21 and November 25. The full day workshop was intended only for experienced gardeners who are serious about growing organic vegetables for home consumption. A variety of vegetable seeds were available for sale. Some of the sessions included • Designing your garden layout for pest resistance • Planning for continuous production • Setting up stakes for tomatoes and beans • Preparing sapling nurseries in pots • Treatment of seeds with Panchagavya to improve germination • Hardening/preparing saplings for transplanting • Constructing bamboo matos for climbing plants • Recipes for organic pest repellants • Producing compost from garden waste • Garden trouble shooting - Q & A

Library cum Business Centre

New Arrivals - Books Magazines Newspapers Sr. No. Title Author English Business Goa Femina 1. Joseph Anton: A Memoir Salman Rushdie Gomantak Times Filmfare Herald Goa Life 2. Angel of The Dark Sidney Sheldon The Goan Goa Today The Hindu 3. Dare To Do! For The New Generation Kiran Bedi Good Housekeeping The Indian Express Health & Nutrition The Navhind Times 4. The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk Sudha Murthy India Today The Times of India Life Positive 5. Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges A.P.J.Kalam My Goa Marathi News Week Dainik Herald 6. Narcopolis Jeet Thayil Outlook Goa Doot 7. The Sins of The Father Jeffrey Archer Planet Goa Gomantak Prevention Lokmat 8. Beyond the Lines: An Autobiography Kuldip Nayar Reader’s Digest Navprabha The Week Tarun Bharat 9. What Young India Wants Chetan Bhagat Viva Goa Konkani 10. The Casual Vacancy J K Rowling Sunaparant

Library timings: 9.30 am - 5.30 pm | Business Centre timings: 9.30 pm - 11.00 pm | Exclusive Lease Line High Speed Wi-Fi Internet Connectivity

Goa Dialogues 5 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 5 07-01-2013 15:11:50 III EDITION of GOA ARTS & LITERARY FESTIVAL December 13 - 17, 2012

Top: Inaugural function of the III Edition of Goa Arts and Literary Festival 2012 at Kala Academy Left: Unveiling of the GALF 2012 poster Right & Below: Eminent Guests speaking at the Inaugural GALF Report on Pg 11 Goa Dialogues 6 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 6 07-01-2013 15:11:53 III EDITION of GOA ARTS & LITERARY FESTIVAL December 13 - 17, 2012 Vivek Menezes, Eunice De Souza, and Jerry Mamang Dai, Mridula Garg, and Prava Rai Pinto

Rana Ghosh, Fahad Shah and Afsana Rashid

Book Release: Adi Parva by Amruta Patil Book Cafe at GALF

Chandrahas Choudhary, Harish Trivedi and E.V. Ramakrishnan Kavita Shah Dr. Varsha Das

Naseem Shafaei, Mitra Phukan and

Wendell Rodricks and Satya Saran

Landeg White and Musharraf Ali

Calligraphy Demonstrations by Achyut Palav

Jatin Das

Kishwar Desai, Dr. Varsha Das, Jahnavi Barua, Saadut Husain, and Sethumadhavan and Iftikar Gilani Writers, Authors, Speakers and Artists at the Goa Arts & Literary Festival 2012 GALF programmes are now available on Youtube. - http://www.youtube.com/user/ icggoa?feature=watch GALF Report on Pg 11 Goa Dialogues 7 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 7 07-01-2013 15:11:55 III EDITION of GOA ARTS & LITERARY FESTIVAL December 13 - 17, 2012

High Tea for the GALF Delegates hosted by H. E. the Governor of Goa, at the Cabo Raj Niwas

Top Left: H.E. Mr. Bharat Vir Wanchoo, Mrs. Wanchoo and Mr. Yatin Kakodkar, ICG Trustee Top Right: Delegates at the High Tea Middle Left: Pundalik Naik, Maria Aurora Couto, Manohar Shetty and Jeet Thayil at the Readings Middle Right: Landeg White at the Readings Bottom Left: Audience listening to the readings Bottom Right: Victor Rangel-Ribeiro hosting the Readings

GALF programmes are now available on Youtube. - http://www. youtube.com/user/icggoa?feature=watch

GALF Report on Pg 11 Goa Dialogues 8 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 8 07-01-2013 15:11:56 III EDITION of GOA ARTS & LITERARY FESTIVAL December 13 - 17, 2012

Top Left: Exclusive Solo Performance by world renowned soprano Patricia Rosario supported by Mark Troop & Amar Muchhala Top Right: “Shikargha” - Dialogue between the hunter and the hunted; Directed by: M K Raina Middle Left: “Bhangrallem Goem - Golden Goa”; Directed by: Prof. Purnanand Chari ‘Journey of Konkani Music from 16th century to date with classical and semi-classical music’ Middle Right: Baadshah Paather - based on Shakespeare’s King Lear; Directed by: M K Raina Bottom Left: Krishna Leela - theatrical performance; amalgamation of dance, drama and poetry Directed & choreographed by: Verushka Pather Bottom Right: Lou Majaw & friends Bottom: Himanshu Suri - Solo Rap Performance GALF programmes are now available on Youtube. - http://www.youtube.com/user/ icggoa?feature=watch GALF Report on Pg 11 Goa Dialogues 9 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 9 07-01-2013 15:11:57 Other Activities “ S U B L I M E “Italian Music Festival” EXPRESSIONS” – As part of XII Italian The Art Conclave Language Week in the Renowned artist, World an ‘Italian Music Vivan Sundaram Festival’ was held on inaugurated the first October 18. The musical annual “SUBLIME festival was organised by EXPRESSIONS” – The Circolo Italiano - a young Art Conclave which organisation promoting was held on October 3 Italian language and and 4. He also delivered culture in Goa, l’Istituto the inaugural talk on di Cultura Italiana, New Delhi, Goa University, The Honorary ‘Draw a Line’. The resource persons of the two-day Conclave Consulate of Italy at Goa, the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce were Vidya Kamat, Vasudevan Akkitham, B V Suresh, Indrapramit & Industry, Goa. Students of Italian language at Goa University Roy, Hanuman Kambli, Soumik Majumdar, Suresh Jayaram and also gave a musical performance along with their professor Chiarra R.Sivakumar. The conclave included talks, lectures, retrospectives Iuzzolini. and discussions. The Conclave was conceptualized with the idea of creating a “Italian Film Festival” platform that would bring together the Faculty, practicing Artists Also as part of XII Italian Language Week in the World an ‘Italian and Art Students from different parts of India to meet & interact Film Festival’ was held from October 19 - 21. Contemporary with each other and immensely benefit them. It was aimed to Italian films with subtitles in English on the theme of integration bring together critical views about the state of art education in our of immigrants in the Italian society were screened. country by practitioners and experts in the field. The primary objectives of the Conclave were: “Presentations on Ramlila, Ramacharitamans & Ramakatha” • To create a rich and vibrant community of artists and art lovers Presentations on Ramlila, Ramacharitamans & Ramakatha by in Goa. Narendra Bharati were held on October 23. • To create common meeting ground to all for exchanging contemporary arts and ideas. The Billion Dollar Producer – An Evening with an Indian in • To create a conducive space for interaction between the faculty Hollywood & students of different colleges. • To facilitate conversations between students & the practicing artists. The conclave was attended by over 100 participants.

“Looking at Art: Art Appreciation for School Children” A Presentation on “Looking at Art: Art Appreciation for School Children” was presented by Prof. Soumik Nandy Majumdar, Asst. Professor, History of Art, Viswa Bharati, Santiniketan on October 5.

“Il Piccolo Artista”- The little Artist” Hollywood Film Producer and former professional Tennis player As part of XII Italian and Chairman, Hyde Park Entertainment Ashok Amritraj was in language week in the world conversation with Filmmaker & Writer Bhuvan Lall, Chairman an artistic competition LALL Entertainment on November 30. cum exhibition on the A landmark figure in contemporary entertainment, Ashok Amritraj themes: Leaning tower has produced or executive produced over 100 films during the of Pisa / Coliseum/ span of his 30-year career, starring Bruce Willis, Sandra Bullock, Italian Food and Wines Sylvester Stallone, Angelina Jolie and many more. / Italian Flag was held on October 13. Students Amritraj has pioneered the crossover cinema between India, Asia between the ages of 10-15 and Hollywood through film and cultural exchanges and has years participated in the been called “India’s Ambassador to Hollywood”. A former tennis competition. professional, Amritraj played in every major tennis event including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Goa Dialogues 10 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 10 07-01-2013 15:11:57 Friday Health Talks Quizzes “SEQC Monthly Quiz”

“Common Gastro and Liver Problems” A talk on ‘Common Gastro and Liver Problems: How to Avoid Them’ was held on October 20, by Dr. Jose Filipe Alvares – MD, The Sunday Evening Quiz Club organized its monthly quiz on DM (Gastro), DNB (Gastro) general subjects on October 7. “Curing Chronic Illness – The Natural Way” III Edition of Goa Arts and Literary Festival 2012

The 2012 Goa Arts and Literary Festival was once again profoundly rooted in the state culture: Pundalik Naik, Damodar Mauzo, Vishnu Surya Wagh, Maria Aurora Couto, Wendell Rodricks and many of our best writers, poets and artists featured prominently in the programme schedule. The Inaugural featured an exclusive concert by London-based soprano Patricia Rozario. In just three years, we have exceeded every possible expectation for our once small event. This year, the GALF had more than 75 delegates from across the country, and abroad. A spectacular lineup of literary and artistic events was held at ICG , Azad Maidan, Municipal Garden, and for the first time ever, on a custom-built stage overlooking the sea at Cabo Raj A talk cum interactive session on ‘Curing Chronic Illness – The Niwas. Natural Way’ by Darryl D’Souza, Therapist, Essene Master & The 2012 Festival hosted a unique Kashmir initiative, with a Author of ‘Become Healthy or Extinct’ was held on October 21. wide range of participants from Jammu and Kashmir, including many renowned authors and senior journalists. The award- “Pain Management” winning folk theatre artists directed by M. K.Raina performed A talk on ‘Pain Management’ by Dr. Seetaram Korgaonkar, DA, ‘Shikargha’at the Cabo Raj Nivas and a version of King Lear, MD (Anesthesia) was held on November 23. ‘Baadshah Pather’ at Kala Academy. What distinguishes our festival from others is for one it is a combined effort of a small group of literature and art lovers, and secondly it is done on a shoe-string budget, with no compromise to quality. All sessions during the day from Dec 14 to 17 were held at the ICG while the inauguration, all evening performances of the Festival and Children’s book festival were held at the Raj Bhavan, Kala Academy, Azad Maidan and Garcia de Orta Garden in Panaji. Eminent writers Mridula Garg & Eunice de Souza inaugurated the Festival on December 13, 2012 at DMK Auditorium, Kala Academy Goa. H.E. Shri. Bharat Vir Wanchoo, Governor of Goa was the Chief Guest and Shri. Omar Abdullah, Hon. Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir was the Guest of Honour.

*For updated list of forthcoming programmes, please visit: http://www.internationalcentregoa.com/ | Date & Time of programme are subject to change.

Goa Dialogues 11 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 11 07-01-2013 15:11:58 The International Centre Goa is affiliated to SECUNDERABAD CLUB ICG members are welcome to use the Club’s Facilities, namely: a. Accomodation b. Meeting Rooms c. Restaurant and Bar Facilities d. Athletic Club with Sauna and Steam Room (when staying in house) e. Banquet facilities f. Billiard and Reading Room g. Attend Social Events h. Visit and use the Sailing Annexe i. Various other sports facilities

Please check http://www.internationalcentregoa.com for details

The International Centre Goa is affiliated to PYC HINDU GYMKHANA ICG members are welcome to use the Club’s Facilities, namely: a. Accomodation b. Sports Facilities c. Recreation d. Conference & Banqueting e. Wine N’ Dine f. Social Events

Please check http://www.internationalcentregoa.com for details

For details about Membership, Programmes and Facilities, please visit our website: www.internationalcentregoa.com Our quarterly e-newsletter is also available on: www.internationalcentregoa.com

Published by: The International Centre Goa, Dr. E. Borges Road, Near Goa University, Dona Paula, Goa. 403004. India. Tel: +91 832 2452805-10

Goa Dialogues 12 The International Centre Goa

FINAL.indd 12 07-01-2013 15:11:58