Ajit John
As part of its silver jubilee celebrations, the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) marked World Heritage Day and World Earth Day with a special event held on Tuesday evening at Garcia de Orta, Panjim. The gathering was a celebration of Goa’s rich culture, traditional crafts, vibrant arts, and music.
The evening was observed in a subdued manner out of respect for the passing of the Pope and the days of mourning declared by the State.
The venue featured 12 vibrant stalls showcasing traditional Goan crafts, with artisans from villages across the state presenting their handmade offerings—ranging from brooms and pots to other unique local items. The event also included painters, artists, and a variety of Goan food. Jose Henriques, a potter, shared, “I’ve been doing this for a while, but it’s also about my love for Goa. I hope people appreciate what I have to offer.”
Fashion designer Herald Andrade from Velim, known for his affordable clothing, shared that he chose not to showcase his label at the event. “I wanted to reach the masses and raise awareness,” he explained. Although he also works in the Hindi film industry, Andrade expressed a strong preference for his life in Goa.
Raymond Pereira, an artist and professor at Nirmala Institute, showcased his upcycled creations, turning earthen pots and bottles into beautiful indoor décor using the art of decoupage. “They only need to be watered once a week—that’s it,” he added, highlighting the simplicity of his eco-friendly creations.
Alinto Coelho, Chairman of the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG), informed that GHAG was the first independent NGO in Goa, established in 200. As a founding member, he has been deeply involved in heritage preservation, which has often included legal battles to protect temples, churches, and chapels at risk. He emphasized the inclusive and secular nature of the group, welcoming diverse perspectives. However, Alinto admitted to the increasing challenges. “It’s getting tough. The government lacks sensitivity toward the environment. “All kinds of tampering are being done—we’re wary of it. We are not anti-establishment, but we believe development should be sensible, not destructive.”
Chief Guest Tomazinho Cardozo congratulated GHAG on completing 25 years. Four prominent Goans were felicitated for their contributions to culture, music, and literature: Sonia Shirsat, Marius Fernandes, Susmita Gawas, and Dr Jayanti Naik. A highlight of the event was the launch of historian Prajal Sakhardande’s third book, ‘History of Women's Contribution to Goa's Freedom Struggle’. The book was released by Prof. Sushila Sawant Mendes, who praised it for adding substantial value to existing literature. She noted the significant mention of Christian women's roles in the freedom movement, despite facing resistance from both family and the Church. She emphasized the immense sacrifices these women made—many remained single, were imprisoned, or lived underground for the cause.