An avid business quizzer who has clinched the top four
positions in the country along with teammate Rajiv D’Silva, Harshvardhan
Bhatkuly was taken aback by the oft repeated question, ‘Hey, how come you guys
know so much about business, coming from Goa where there is no business?’. “The
truth,” Harshvardhan points out “is that nobody acknowledges the fact that
there are so many businesses in Goa and despite the lack of support and
infrastructure, so many individuals have built up successful businesses.”
Business Goa came about as an attempt to remedy this lacuna.
Over the years, this magazine, which is Goa’s first and only
business journal, has grown into an enviable inventory of Goa’s businesses,
particularly home grown and first generation entrepreneurs. “When we first
launched the magazine in 2009, people were reluctant to accept the fact that
there were entrepreneurs in Goa. Rather, they tried to write us off. But our
magazine focussed on home grown and new generation entrepreneurs from fashion
to auto, manufacturing and a whole gamut of businesses which had not been
touched upon before. We have a very vibrant, yet non-recognised industry right
here in Goa,” he maintains.
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Another observation that has been gleaned is that the
economic world in Goa is a typeset in itself, far removed from those of
metropolitan cities like Mumbai. “The home grown entrepreneurs are a mirror of
Goan society – of the local ethos and sentiments,” he says, citing the example
of the Armarcar Group which was awarded the Business Group of the Year award
this year. “It’s a very unique business group of six young Pereira brothers,
with no formal training, running different business like Champs, Upper House,
Delfinos supermarket, Luis & Co, Alor Grande and Alor Holiday Resort.”
To acknowledge and bring to the fore such enterprises,
‘Business Goa’ instituted the ‘Business Goa Awards (For Corporate Excellence)’
in 2012, which has now turned into a much-anticipated annual event in the
state. “Our main aim was to highlight and promote local entrepreneurs and as a
natural progression of that, we also honour their achievements,” explains
Harshvardhan. Thoroughly cued into all things business, including movers and
shakers, since they began the magazine, their selection for awards was based on
performance in each one’s particular field. “The awards are grouped under four
broad categories – Real Estate and Hospitality, Excellence, Best Companies and
Achievers Awards. This year, we gave away 24 awards in various sectors,” shares
Harshvardhan of the awards for corporate excellence 2015 which were presented
by the NRB Group this year and hosted at the Goa Marriott Resort and Spa on
March 7.
As the business community in Goa works tirelessly to achieve
their ends, ‘Business Goa’ is ensuring that they are all given their due
recognition.
