Rotary Clubs celebrate the month of September as basic education and literacy month around the world. Rotary supports activities and training to improve education for all children as well as literacy for children and adults.
The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to ensure that all people have sustainable access to basic education and literacy, by involving the community to support programs that strengthen the capacity of communities to provide basic education and literacy to all, increasing adult literacy in communities, working to reduce gender disparity in education and supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to basic education and literacy.
On 28th September, under the aegis of the Rotary India Literacy Mission, the Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera conferred the Nation Builder Awards upon four teachers at a special event held at Menino Hotel Ponda.
Under Rotary’s T.E.A.C.H Program, the Nation Builder Award provides recognition to outstanding teachers of Government and Government aided schools, through a participatory evaluation process through the students and headteacher of the school, facilitated by the Clubs.
The teachers felicitated were: Chaya V. Khandeparkar of SESS Daffodils KG and Primary School, Shiroda; Nutan Karapurkar of GVM’s KG and Primary School, Borim; Sunit Shashikant Desai of Swami Vivekanand KG & Primary School, Borim; Sulochana D. Borkar of S.S. Samiti Primary School, Dhavali, Ponda.
A framed certificate, trophy, shawl, coconut and a rose bud was given to each awardee to recognise their tremendous contribution to shaping young minds.
The former headmistress of GVM AJ Almeida School, Ponda and President of Inner Wheel Club Ponda, Savita D’Costa was the Chief Guest at the occasion.
Present at the occasion were President of Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera Rtn. Sandra Fernandes, Club Secretary Rtn. Colleen Sequeira, Immediate Past President Rtn. Ryan Costa, Vocational Service Directors Rtn. Dr. Mahesh Pai and Rtn. Denzil Xavier. Also present were Dr. Christina D’Souza, Vice Principal of Government College Khandola.
GOA HERITAGE ACTION GROUP CELEBRATES 21 GLORIOUS YEARS
Goa Heritage Action Group celebrated 21 years on 30th September. The function took place at Sadhana Dell Arte, Merces.
Like its hallmark Fontainhas Festival of the Arts in the heritage neighbourhood in Panaji, this celebration also displayed artists working in Goa, musicians, young talent and, for the first time ever, oviyos or songs sung at the grinding stone performed by members of the Catholic Gavda community from Quepem.
The celebration included a book release of the title Outdoor Museums of Goa by well-known ethnologist Pantaleao Fernandes. The book was released by Fr Dr Bolmax Pereira, also known for his activism in the area of environment and ecology, who said “preserving our heritage is important part of our lives”.
There were 40 artists participating at the celebration. The artists had been selected from a wide range of water colourists, figurative artists and artists who specialise in architectural renderings. Veteran artists like Mohan Naik and Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwal also exhibited their works in the company of other experienced artists like Kausalya and Ramdas Gadekar and Nirupa Naik. The event was also a platform for young and upcoming talent, as has been its tradition. At the end of the show, artist Sonia presented her work titled ‘The Twins’ to the Group in honour of the Group’s endeavours in preserving Goa’s heritage.
Veteran writer Vivek Menezes, editor of the GHAG’s flagship journal Parmal made a brief presentation on the forthcoming issue of Parmal which has ‘Music in Goa’ as its theme. There was a video installation by artist and curator Miriam Koshy Sukhija on the Mollem issue titled Maa Tree Ka. GHAG also launched their website on the occasion.
Following a ban on speaking or singing in Goa’s native language, Konkani, in 1684, by the erstwhile Portuguese government, oviyos, or songs sung at the grinding stone in Konkani went underground. For the first time, however, these songs were showcased at this celebration. Amelia Dias and her group from the Christian Gawda community performed these songs for the gathering. There were many Q&As and a great deal of interest. The performance culminated with an oviyo rendering by GHAG Life Member Anju Sakhardande with Life Member Tejas Pandit playing the traditional ghumott. The programme featured musician Shaistah Thapar and other outstanding solo performers and closed with fusion music performed by Yogesh Hirve and Carlos. Founder Members Heta Pandit, Poonam Verma Mascarenhas and Raya Shankhwalker circulated amongst the guests present at the occasion.
The whole event was co-ordinated by Hon Treasurer Alinto Coelho, Hon Treasurer Cezar Pinto assisted by Art Events Facilitator, Hari.
