With a deep understanding of agriculture and a desire to bring locally grown marigold flowers to the Goan community, Amona-based farmer Krishna Sinari has embarked on the high-tech venture of marigold farming. RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT  Inspired by the need for locally grown marigold flowers, Krishna Sinari, the owner of Prakriti Farm Products, has started a high-tech venture of marigold farming in a 3,000-square-meter plot. With a total of 5,000 plants, his farm boasts vibrant yellow and orange marigold flowers. The inspiration behind choosing marigold flowers as the primary crop stems, he says, is that even though Goa has a suitable environment for its growth, a majority of the flowers are brought in from other places. “Marigolds are essential for Diwali celebrations. So I chose to start my own marigold production to meet the local demand,” says Sinari, who holds a diploma in agriculture and has done various courses to enhance his knowledge in the field. Currently enjoying his first marigold harvest, the next crop of flowers will be during Diwali and later for Tulsi Vivah. After that, he will move on to the next crop. Sinari has previously cultivated hybrid chillies and lady fingers and plans to explore other […]

The Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival is all set to bring together book lovers and storytellers RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY Imagine a place where children can enjoy stories, meet their favourite authors, and explore books that spark their curiosity. That’s exactly what they’ll get at the Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival, scheduled from February 27 to March 3. A new addition to the annual Goa Book Fair, which has been running for two years, the Children’s Literature Festival is organised by The Dogears Bookshop, Margao, in collaboration with Publishing Next. According to co-founder of The Dogears Bookshop and the festival Leonard J Fernandes, it aims to create a dedicated space where children can engage with books, interact with authors, and develop a love for reading. He believes children remain drawn to good stories and engaging illustrations. “They’re selective about what they read and often influenced by their friends’ choices. They prefer books that engage them, which they can relate to and understand,” he says. Further, he stresses the importance of children’s literature in developing a love for reading. “Studies show that reading a wide range of books helps children think critically, research better, and spot […]

Lush green trees and the pristine Mandovi River flowing are notably one of the few things one will see cruising through the beautiful City of Panjim. Panjim being the capital city of Goa calls many visitors. Cruising through Panjim will definitely take a travel thirsty wanderer back in time to the Portuguese era. Fontainhas Fontainhas is famously known to be the Latin quarters of Goa has proven to be a very photo-worthy location for many. The feature of this place is Portugal infused architecture. Walking through the lanes of Fontainhas you’ll notice walls painted in hues of blue, yellow and strip white and that’s only the tip of the beautiful architecture. Walking through the lanes it’s definite to find many cafes and art galleries. Dive deeper into the architecture as you walk into the art galleries. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception One of the most famously known Churches in Goa is the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church. The church stands tall in the center of Panjim and receives hundreds of visitors on a daily basis. The church’s white color instantly grabs the eye.  Another feature of this church is its zigzag stairs that lead to the church. The church […]

When I close my eyes, I’m often transported to our old house with its traditional clay-tiled roof, where my entire childhood was spent happily with my grandparents and the lovingly tended trees that surrounded it. Our quiet afternoons were spent playing Bhatukali, the kitchen-kitchen game under its deep green and tranquil shade. Along with children, the tree also hosted parties for its guests: the birds. It was always a treat to our eyes to spot birds like the paradise flycatcher, grey hornbills, leafbirds, and orioles peeping through its thick, glossy leaves. Locally known as Fanas, the jackfruit tree is quite a useful tree in Goa and across many tropical regions. It is the state tree of Kerala and is held sacred in many cultures around the globe. In Goa, its roundish, thick and lustrous leaves are collected and stitched together with coconut sticks, to craft traditional plates (patravali). These patravalis are deftly crafted and stored throughout the year, ready to be used during village functions and other large community gatherings. Having a jackfruit tree around is like having a companion to the house. One can smell its sweet fragrance permeating the surroundings, although at times it can also be fetid. […]

“We’re lucky to have a roof over our heads and our basic needs met,” says Divya Kapur, the founder of the Literati Bookshop in Calangute, while talking to NT GoGoaNow.   Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow  This ex-lawyer started focusing on what she could do at home during the lockdown. She checked in on her friends and family to see if they were okay. Divya jokingly shared that she’s not that productive but she spent her time reading, watching television, and engaged in some physical activities. Speaking about the Literati Bookshop she reveals that they’re encouraging people to opt for home delivery. Now they hold virtual book club meets but movie screenings and book launches can’t happen. Divya is of the opinion that a simpler life is better. She says, “I’m looking forward to going to the beach, swimming in the sea, and watching the sunset.” [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Experience the vibrancy of Portuguese architecture in this quarter of Panaji. The Fontainhas is the oldest Latin Quarter located in Panaji. In the late 1700s, this locality belonged to a Goan expat who was also known as ‘Mossmikar’, as he hailed from the Portuguese colony of Mozambique in East Africa. Since this place was an open space it was called as ‘Mollo’, finally leading to be identified as ‘Mala’.The ‘Mossmikar’ later converted this land into coconut plantation hence called as Palmar Grande. The Fontainhas became more civilized when the Portuguese moved out from Old Goa to Panjim in the 1840’s due to sanitary problems that led to repeated outbreaks of plague in Old Goa.Since this was a plain area, it became the first choice of habitation for the Portuguese. When the Kadambas ruled Goa, what we now know as Panaji was called as Pancham Khali.  The Portuguese called it as Novo Goa or New Goa as they had moved out of Old Goa.The city of Panaji was built around Fonte de Phoenix. Fonte De Phoenix (Fountain of Phoenix) is a water reservoir which was constructed in the Portuguese era. On the top of the fountain there was a plate which […]