[Goanet] Our visit to Vailankani

[JoeGoaUk]

 
 More here
 http://joegoauk-pointofview.blogspot.com/2017/09/vailankanni.html

Our Visit to Vailankani by Special train from Vasco da Gama on 6th Sept 2017

Village: Velankanni, District:  Nagapattinam, State: Tamil Nadu, India

We left on 6th Sept 2017 at 11.20am train from Vasco da Gama and arrived 
Vailankanni next day at 2pm.
Our hotel check-in timing was 7.30pm so we kept our bags at the reception 
counter  and set out for sightseeing etc.  Starting with the beach, 
restaurant/lunch fish curry thali followed by the Church / Shrine tour. 
The  entire Vailankani tour was meant for 1.5 days but  for me it was like half 
day only as I was down with high fever the whole night and the next full day.  
We left the hotel at 7.30pm to take return train  to Vasco  at 11.45pm from 
Vailankani station. Back at Vasco 2am (as against 11.45pm)
To find hotel or accommodation  there was very tough, somehow  we managed to 
book one triple room online  with two extra mattresses for Rs.3,600 (A/c).  
There was one hotel  that was showing Rs.5000 per non- A/c room and the final 
figure for two rooms with taxes was showing up around Rs.13,000.  We were 6.
It was crowded there and people / pilgrims seen squatting  all over. It was 
like Old Goa Novena / Feast  scene where we see pilgrim sleeping in the 
convents and Churches etc but here it was out in the open be it in the  roads, 
garden or passages or corridors.
Everything there was expensive or sold at premium rates. Even Vasaichim like 
bananas were sold for Rs.130 per kg or Rs.60 half kg (6pcs), we saw lot of 
banana plantations from our train though!
Fish curry rice thali Rs.150 (pic)  but it did not come with fried fish, had to 
pay extra for fish.
At Church Canteen, the thali was cheaper i.e. Rs.70 + GST and that did not come 
with fried fish too. We paid Rs.40 a piece + GST (See menu pic)
Many devotees were offering tray full of puja items including coconuts and 
flowers. Yet some were offering coconut sapling inside the main Church.  Sadly, 
photography/videography is prohibited inside the main shrine. 
Masses in all languages including Konkani mass, I missed 10’clock mass in the 
lower cathedral as I was sick.
Another thing we noted, despite the place being touristic (Church and beaches) 
the vendors/hawkers speak no  other language than Tamil.  
 During the Car Procession at night, one has be very cautious or best to avoid 
with kids and elderly.  A simple false alarm could trigger a catastrophic 
stampede like situation. There is simplly a mad rush and half of the crowd are 
those who already witnessed the Car procession on previous days.
On our way back, our train had no water in most of the washrooms, saw some 
using mineral water . Water tanks were only filled up once the train reached 
Mangalore junction around 5.30pm that’s after 18 hours from Velankani station 
departure.
Our special train, apart from special fare  had no security personnel nor any 
TC  on both sectors.
Whilst going the train was about 70% empty and coming back it was full to the 
capacity
Video1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snfDnxt2Htc

Video 2 night
https://youtu.be/GyCP1hXNnP4

Video 3 - Car Procession
https://youtu.be/uSRYdnI-8X4

More pics and videos 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/36376553444/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37041442242/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37071171781/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/36815840090/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37041513812/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/36398482243/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/36376662734/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37023380576/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37071265321/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37071272021/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37071277071/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37041582272/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37041591562/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37041596712/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37023425266/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/36399320773/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/36376725114/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukindia/37023461886/in/photostream/

More pics and video here
 http://joegoauk-pointofview.blogspot.com/2017/09/vailankanni.html

joego...@yahoo.co.uk 

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[Goanet] Naree Artisans Movement: Conserving Goan Handicrafts and the Environment

[Iris gomes]

Naree Artisans Movement: Conserving Goan Handicrafts and the Environment
(Read the entire article at http://www.pruthagoa.com/nam-conserving-goan-han
 )

Learn how three women set out to preserve Goa's handicraft heritage by
establishing their own organisation called Naree Artisans Movement.
"One of the most fascinating projects undertaken by NAM is the Godhadi
project in collaboration with the Goa State Museum. The project involved
creating a record of old Goan quilts "


Iris C F Gomes
Editor of Prutha (www.pruthagoa.com)

We are supported by Volunteering Goa Limited
 and the Xavier Centre of Historical
Research 

Find us on Facebook 
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[Goanet] road safety week

[Nelson Lopes]

Road safety week.

A week is too short a period to be effective method to road safety,
Nevertheless some consciousness is aroused. It should be a continuous
process in action with meaningful outcomes.. The most visible pursuits are
to chase , challan those without helmets, as if  not wearing helmets is the
cause of accidents. Saving lives after accidents occur is a shallow
reasoning. What is the statistics of lives lost, maimed  for life in spite
of wearing helmets would be interesting? The main focus of safety
enforcement appears to be revenue enhancement for the cash strapped Govt
.No doubt sensational accidents seemed to be linked with two wheelers and
loss of young lives. The sale of bikes must compulsorily include helmets in
the costs. it should  not be optional for the pilion riders, ridiculous, as
if their lives are dispebnsable.. The quality of helmets worn just to
circumvent the rules is a  mockery. The lack of provision for securing
helmets and  also having to cart them along is cumbersome and   is
dissuasive., Minors, provided with bikes, arranging of  license  by parents
clandestinely, even to go to schools is abhorrent. There is no check on
mechanical  fitness of the  private vehicles. Lack of insurance should
invite heavy penalty and also driving without valid license. Too often the
dress of conductor dribver. no ticket in public vehicles takes precedence..
There is always a way out, if the enforcement is strict . The easy access
to license is another worry..Lack of  frequent  public transport facilities
is increasing the vehicle population on narrow roads, that have not kept
pace with large number of vehicles added every month. The loan enticements
adds to desire of owning a vehicle almost at will. The poor road lighting,
dispersion prevented by foliage  adds to woes at nights .The cattle menace
is aggravating road safety   Badly maintained, narrow, pot holed roads,
poor quality of roads specially during monsoons is a serious matter. The
potholes are only attended to after fatal accidents, hue and cry or post
monsoons. No one is bothered of dangerous  overcrowding in public
transport, delays, non schedule stops and using passenger  vehicles for
transport of goods. Where is the caution on over loading, rash and
negligent driving, under influence of alcohol, speeding specially to
collect passengers?  The fiat of S.C on liquor outlets  on Highways has
been tweaked to accommodate commercial, revenue and employment
considerations. Are eye tests , hearing impairment significant factors?
High light beams are blinding the oncoming traffic and drivers. .The width
of roads is the most neglected aspects thus far. The diversion of heavy
traffic during peak hours, ban of entry of such vehicles are worthy of
serious enforcements. It is a silly idea, misnomer  of convenience of
designating major district roads etc as National or part of National
Highways, as such roads are universally constructed to bypass  congested
towns and cities In spite of directions/ from MARD, the blind bends, scene
of freqquent accidents are crying for action  The proliferation of
unscientific speed breakers specially on National Highways are themselves
cause of serious accidents.The revenue generated by fines, road tax must
necessarily be used to improve road constructions, safety on priority.
There is no emphasis on manning traffic with signals, but outdated manual
 approach is still  in vogue

Goa a small state, but its share of road accidents compared  to the
National average is alarming. The easy availability of alcohol at every
nook and corner definitely makes it a heady mix. Bihar after introduction
of ban on alcohol has seemed to reduce road accidents appreciably. .There
should be an all India register of persons involved in accidents. Provision
of temporary suspension and permanent ban on driving, if  involved in
recurring accidents cases,. There should be a planned, directed
educational approach at various levels to consciencetise all concerned
.There seems to be no road discipline followed by road users. the two
wheelers are a law unto themselves. Separate laning concept for vehicles
has still not found favour. The regular  maintenance  of passenger
vehicles, strict check on drivers should be rigorously enforced . Some
minimum level of education of drivers, psychological test on patience,
alertness, quick response would go a long way. Mere deterrents without
education and human touch will come to nought

Nelson Lopes Chinchinim

[Goanet] Crown Jewel (Hindustan Times, 16/9/2017

[V M]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/hit-play-two-connoisseurs-have-amassed-a-collection-of-video-art-that-will-stun-you/story-nRtcBCKmQDGdNbmfXJ31BL.html

Years ago, I was living on a houseboat moored on the Nile riverbank,
in western Cairo. Nearby was an enigmatic, shrouded structure. In
daylight, it appeared part-tent and part-auditorium. But late at night
it glowed neon, and shadowy figures sidled down the waterfront to
disappear within. One moonlit midnight, I headed there myself. Inside,
I found a rough concrete dancefloor occupied by work-soiled Cairene
men, many in gallabiyas (the few women present sat to one side,
sipping cold drinks). Suddenly, a shout of recognition. The security
guard of our boat jumped out at me, still in his khaki uniform.
Beaming with pleasure, he dragged us under the lights. Now the music
started up, and everyone whirled. I found myself giving in to the
dance.

That half-submerged memory came flooding back unexpectedly this week,
on a routine lunchtime visit with my sons to Bodega, the outstanding
courtyard café attached to the Sunaparanta arts centre in Panaji.
Climbing the curving outdoor staircase, I heard the unmistakable
strains of Egyptian ‘shaabi’ pop music. Hunger forgotten, we chased
the sound. On a large screen in a darkened room, there were flickering
points of luminous blue, revealed as the lures of fast-finning
anglerfish, then crystallised to lights on a speaker. Music
crescendoed. The camera pulled back to reveal two men dancing
purposefully, together and yet apart. It was impossible to look away.
Several minutes later, I was still breathless with excitement.

This was my first, unforgettable viewing of Jewel (2010), a short,
six-minute-thirty-second video artwork by Hassan Khan, the
fast-emerging global star from Egypt. At this year’s Venice Biennale,
he won the Silver Lion for most promising young artist (he was born in
1975). When Jewel was exhibited in exceedingly distinguished company
at the New Museum’s 2012 Triennial in New York, it created a
sensation. Writing in the Middle Eastern art magazine Bidoun, the
critic Kaelen Wilson-Goldie exulted that, “with its driving
soundtrack, mesmerizing choreography and riddle refusing to be solved,
[Jewel] was by far the most magnetic piece in the exhibition”.

In Goa, Jewel is one-fourth of a stunning exhibition of video artworks
on display for the first time in India, on loan from the collection of
Kutch-based businessman Anurag Khanna and his wife Payal, both aged
41.

Each video in Longing — open till October 30 and sensitively curated
by Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi — is a standout signature work by an
exceptional artist. Alpsee (1995) by Matthias Müller of Germany is an
all-time classic, a hauntingly measured evocation of the turbulent
emotions that underlie ‘normal’ childhood. Tomorrow Everything Will Be
Alright (2010) by Lebanon’s Akram Zaatari, which is in the permanent
collection of the Museum of Modern Art, depicts an exchange of text
messages playing out on a clacking typewriter, each line brilliantly
paced to rachet up tension. In the Guggenheim Museum’s permanent
collection is Alejandro Cesarco’s Methodology (2011), which portrays
an aching, discursive conversation failing to communicate even through
a torrent of words.

Given the blinkered lack of imagination of the Indian art herd, with
its non-stop focus on brand-name mediocrity, it’s nigh unbelievable
that the blockbuster gems of video art on display in Goa all belong to
a single collection, quietly amassed by a young Indian far from the
country’s major urban centres. But Anurag Khanna is the real deal, one
of those metaphorical ‘black swans’ whose existence seems impossible
until they materialise in front of your eyes.

Via email, he described his remarkable journey in autodidactic
connoisseurship, marked by singular diligence.

“I started to travel abroad just for art. Long walks within museums in
Europe just to educate my eye, and get deep into this world helped to
broaden my mind and develop my vision,” he says. “I thought it would
be interesting to do a mix by pulling out good artists from our
region, and some works from the West, and letting there be a dialogue
between the two.”

Restricting himself to geographical boundaries would have forced him
to collect average art and artists, he adds. “Getting myself free from
this burden [meant] I could do anything I liked and I really enjoyed
this freedom. Of course this demands a lot of study, looking around
and travels, but it really helps me grow as a human being and it gives
me a very broad perspective of the world.”

In our screen-saturated times, video art packs especial punch.
Arguably as old as motion picture cameras, the genre moved into
galleries and museums in the 1960s, with pioneering artists like the
Korean-American Nam Jun Paik. Following in those footsteps, many of
India’s younger artists have devoted considerable energy to the
medium, including Kiran Subbaiah, Nalini Malani,

[Goanet] Culture

[Gilbert Lawrence]

Culture is defined as a group of people with one or a combination of the 
following common factors:
GeographyHistoryLanguage
Ethnicity
Race
ReligionBehavior PatternsValue Systems
Our cultural identities may bring us closer to some people and may set us apart 
from others.
People who accept and respect people of different cultures are said to be 
culturally aware or culturally sensitive.
Both these terms mean that you aren’t judgmental about people who are different 
from you, and you try hard to be respectful.
Regards, GL

[Goanet] (no subject)

[eric pinto]

Hi 

http://bit.ly/2wXVCKz


Eric

[Goanet] Pioneer for Climate Justice in India

[Fidibus]

no doubt, climate is changing. nevertheless, doubtful is the scientific 
explanation.


considering that the most fertile time on our planet was the carbon, 
from those time we got the coal. those days CO2 was 12% in the air, 300 
times (not 300%) higher than now with temperatures around 55-60°C.


in europa during medieval times the vine yard area was 4times bigger 
than this days. vine depends much on warm climate. during the same time 
olives had been cultivated in north germany.


ice cores let us compare climat changes back till 6000BC. and, 218BC 
hannibal crossed the alps with elephants, in the 13th century many 
glaciers in switzerland had vanished.


remember, CO2 is needed by all vegetation. well, the establishment needs 
it too to accumulate money and i doubt that Sunita Narain is not aware 
of the fact. still her approach for India is positive. fidibus


http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/indian-activists-path-climate-justice-180964866/

--
Rebellion against the norms is Love for the Creation

skype:fidibee

homepage: www.fidibus.info



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Re: [Goanet] Food brands 'cheat' eastern European shoppers with inferior products

[Venantius J Pinto]

Dead on! These observations are critical and should make it to the Konkani
media/press.
Thank you, —Venantius J Pinto