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Showing posts with the label NGO

Saving the Amins of India

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Whenever we see bedraggled little children begging or selling wares in the streets, markets, and bus and train stations, our first reaction is not to take any responsibility for them. Understandably, it is not within the means of most ordinary people to do much and the onus is usually on nongovernmental organisations to take up the challenge of providing these children with the opportunity of a better life. One often wonders how these children survive on the streets and how many make it to adulthood without succumbing to violence or disease. One wonders about the evolution of some of the fortunate ones who have received sanctuary in time. Amin Sheikh is one of those little children who lived an extraordinary life that would eventually take this young man from being a beggar in Bombay to a stature that would land him in Barcelona. Amin Sheikh’s life was brought to the stage by Communicare Trust, an NGO in Goa that focuses on adding to people’s linguistic skills and works with underprivi

Carpe Diem to Host Poets and Writers Evening: A Fundraiser in Support of Arz and Victims of Human Trafficking

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Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. It is also a time of giving, and giving freely. Carpe Diem-The Art and Learning Centre in Majorda has combined an opportunity to give with the treat of a literary evening with Goa’s noted poets and writers. Poets and Writers Evening: A Fundraiser in Support of Arz and Victims of Human Trafficking will be held at Carpe Diem on the 9th of December 2018 from 6.30pm to 8pm. Entry is free and those who wish to attend are invited to donate generously to support ARZ. ARZ, or Anyay Rahit Zindagi (Life without Injustice), is a Goa-based organisation that rescues victims of trafficking for commercial sex work. A group of professionals from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) established the organisation in 1997, and the first project undertaken by ARZ was the rehabilitation of commercial sex workers in Baina, Goa, in 1998. Arunendra Kumar Pandey is one of the founders and director of ARZ and has been working tirelessly with his t

Mandala Magic

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It was right from childhood that Vaishali Lall, a visualiser cum graphic designer at International Centre Goa, Miramar, had an affinity towards doodling mandalas. At the time, she had no idea what they were called or what they might stand for. ‘The process was soothing and beautiful,’ she says. Mandala is the Sanskrit word for ‘disc’, ‘circle’, or ‘completion’, where a design is created within a circle. It goes back to ancient times when yantras were depicted on mandalas. Yantras are mantras, or chants, invoking the name of a particular deity. To create a yantra mandala, one had to study mythological texts for a number of years and detach oneself from the allurements of the world to work in perfect silence. The mandala has been found to be an essential part of major religions. Western history shows us churches with representations on stained glass windows; there is the Celtic cross with the circle in the centre; and there would be a maze like structure, where the centre contains an ene

Art Exhibition Different Strokes to Benefit Don Bosco’s Konkan Development Society

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Artists for a Cause in collaboration with Don Bosco Konkan Development Society will be showcasing its members God-given talents for the fifth time at Different Strokes , an exhibition cum sale of drawings, paintings and photographs. This year Artists for a Cause is holding its exhibition cum sale at the Sanskruti Bhavan, (Central Library) Art Gallery, Patto, Panaji, from 8 to 10 December 2018 between 10am and 7pm. The Konkan Development Society (KDS), a registered NGO, is an initiative of the Salesian Province of Panaji. It has done much work in many spheres of social transformation, working with peripheral communities in the Konkan region (Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra). True to Don Bosco, its primary focus is children. These are mainly disadvantaged and marginalised children who are drawn into the educational process and taught to follow the principles of reason and kindness. Sensing the need of every community, the children are empowered with skills in different spheres. Some are o

The Giver: A Call to Preserve Nature

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  The Giver is an art exhibition that will be held from the 16th to the 18th of March at Kala Academy, showcasing choice works by artists Clarice Vaz and Stacy Fernandes. The exhibition is a statement on the environmental exploitation that is rampant in these times, especially in Goa – we should be giving back to nature since she is the mother whose unconditional love nourishes us in a myriad ways. The paintings and charcoal sketches on display reflect the self-taught artists’ love for nature. The exhibition will be graced with the presence of cartoonist Alexyz as the guest of honour and Governor Mridula Sinha as the chief guest. Part of the proceeds will benefit the National Association for the Blind-Goa (NAB). Stacy Rodrigues has proved her mettle as an artist who has overcome her battle with Stargardt disease, or juvenile macular degeneration, which causes progressive vision loss, to achieve the status of Goa’s only visually impaired artist, and presently, after the demise of Binod

The Power Within

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From anthropologist to writer, from NGO (Tara Trust) founder to artist, Katharina Kakar has donned many mantles and excelled in them all. However, it is art that fires up her passion in every other area. ‘I am just driven by it. Art has always been my oxygen,’ she says. Her mother was an artist and, as the daughter of an artist, Katharina’s own foray into the world of art was anticipated. The influence of art was all pervasive in her life, with her mother taking the family to exhibitions which developed Katharina’s sense of ‘seeing’. She and her siblings were also encouraged by their mother to experiment with different things and exercise their creativity. Despite the expectations, Katharina chose to study Anthropology and Comparative Religion in Germany. It has been a few years since she came back to art as a full-time occupation, and in doing so she has come full circle. The journey of research, teaching, writing and social work she has made to this point now serves to enrich her ar

Karl Lutchmayer Concert in Aid of Child’s Play (India) Foundation

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Child’s Play (India) Foundation is an NGO that nurtures musical talent among underprivileged children in Goa, giving them a sense of accomplishment and confidence that helps build character and enables them to envision a better future for themselves. The NGO, which was founded by Dr Luis Francisco Dias in 2009, has completed ten years of transformative work.  Child’s Play (India) Foundation (CPIF) has had two major concerts every year since 2014, the Camerata Child’s Play India performed at the Monte Music Festival in 2014, Dr Luis has spoken about CPIF’s work at the INK Talks in 2010 and 2014. Aside from these achievements, CPIF’s work has been highlighted in well-known national and international publications such as the Reader’s Digest , The Hindu and Deutsche Welle . This year’s celebratory events started off with the successful Monsoon Concert on the 21st of September, which had performances by the Baridisi Quartet and the duo of Omar de Loiola Pereira (guitar) and Selwyn Menezes

Jazzing It up with Raga Rock

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Communicare Trust has been prodigious in the good work it has accomplished thus far by drawing the best out of young people through training in the arts. Some of the Trust’s collaborations have been with NGOs such as Bethesda Life Centre and Margaret Bosco Bal Sadan, leading to plays and other activities that explore and hone previously unbeknown skills of the children housed at these homes. Now Communicare brings us a musical called Raga Rock based on the life of Goa’s famed jazz musician Braz Gonsalves. The musical, which bears the same name as Braz’ own jazz album, is the result of a collaboration with Lotus Film and TV Production and the NGO Help India. Raga Rock , the musical and the jazz concert which will follow, are aimed at a jazz revival and commemoration of Braz’ life. The programme will take place at Kala Academy, Panaji on the 14th of June 2019 and at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on the 15th of June 2019 at 7pm respectively. Jazz saxophonist Braz Gonsalves was instrumental in

Keys of Enchantment

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In January 2015, Goa was privileged to have Dr Eugene Alcalay perform at various places. It is rare treat to encounter a pianist of such excellence and one of considerable humility too. From the moment he stepped on to the performance stage, he had the audience enchanted, be it his humorous explanations of the pieces of music he was to play or his stupendous command over his art. The Institute Menezes Braganza had people who were taken up in rapt attention to call for encores at the conclusion of the recital. Presently a professor at University of Wisconsin—Platteville, USA, this native of Bucharest, Romania, proved he was of exceptional calibre when he began playing the piano at the age of two and composing at the age of eight. It is no wonder then that his genius, reminiscent of Mozart, brought him to the attention of Leonard Bernstein and in time caused him to be the first recipient of The Leonard Bernstein Scholarship at the Indiana University School of Music. Bernstein was a famed

Empowerment for the Differently Abled (NGO)

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It is extremely easy to extend sympathy and kind words to someone who is differently abled and believe one’s duty is done with regard to society. A certain amount of courage and motivation is required to be able to take up arms for those in need of support. In Goa, for years, a physical disability was looked upon as a punishment for iniquities and sins of ancestors. We may have moved long past that attitude but there is still apathy and lack of consideration many a times. The differently abled saw it fit to put their foot down and join forces against the dismissive treatment meted out to them. In October, 2003, DRAG or the Disability Rights Association of Goa came into being to ensure that the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, was applied necessarily. There was the need for resolving issues concerning the differently abled and so it was decided to bring under one banner all such persons and have them work towards a common goal. The NGO was founded by Victor Fernandes, Loretta Velho,

A Beacon for Helpless Children – Bethesda Life Centre (NGO)

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 by Tanya Pinto Everyone has a mission to complete in one’s lifetime, but only a few actually have the courage to take it up at an early age. Beena always had an affinity towards helping the poor and needy, even in her childhood. Having been brought up in a home that always had its doors open to the hungry and poor, Beena learnt compassion and generosity at a very young age. True to her passion, she founded the Bethesda Life Centre with her husband, Martin. The aim of the establishment was simple – to provide shelter and support to orphan and needy children. BLC Team The ambitious project is presently a resounding success, helping over 150 children to become independent adults and lead respectable lives. However, Beena and Martin have faced their share of challenges in the beginning. It all started with an unwed mother who sought help and shelter at their home. As this young girl had been tested positive for HIV, no one was willing to help her out. Though Beena and Martin did not have

Don Bosco Konkan Development Society: Moulding Good Citizens (NGO)

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It began with a dream in his boyhood, which impelled John Bosco to work towards alleviating the distressed condition of the youth of his time. A dream at the age of nine revealed his future as a great educationist and transformer of young lives. The mystical experience was eventually transformed into a tangible one through his tireless efforts. The religious order conceived by this Roman Catholic saint, better known as Don Bosco, has spread his ideas and educative methods far and wide through the world. It is by means of reason, religion and loving kindness that they endeavour to mould morally upright and intellectually able individuals who would contribute in the best way possible to the betterment of society. In Goa, the Salesians of Don Bosco continue his good work, having made their entry in India in the year 1906. They are not just involved with mainstream educational institutes but special attention is given to marginalised classes that are in utmost need of aid. The Don Bosco Ko