PANJIM: There is a teddy bear making the rounds of Goa! A DMD bear mascot, he comes bearing good news about Goa’s heritage and the urgent need for its conservation to be highlighted at the ‘Heritage Art Mela’ being held at Kala Academy Goa. “The mascot has been travelling around Goa and creating awareness about this event. He’s also collecting funds, the entirety of which will be donated to purchasing hundred solar lamps for villages, explains Kapil Korgaokar, President of the Panjim-based ‘Goans for Education,’(GE) NGO.
Teaming up with a Benaulim-based NGO ‘DMD Youth Adventure Club’ (DMD YAC), headed by President Suprajit Raikar, the two recently formed groups thought it was time to give back to society. The world Heritage Day celebrated on April 18 afforded the right opportunity for these youngsters who are closely associated with the conservation of heritage through their activities/members. “Some of the DMD members are also part of the history lovers group and GE is also involved in heritage activities. Recently they helped to get the neglected Valpoi and Bicholim forts notified,” explains Kapil. With both groups involved in creating awareness on various issues and motivating youngsters in their field work in villages, putting their creative energies into organising a large Heritage Art Mela in association with Kala Academy. “We first held a drawing competition in March in Bastora on heritage and this prompted us to hold something on a larger scale now,” aver these enthusiastic youngsters who are keen to give back to society, investing their time, experience, education and personal funds in the NGOs projects.
The art mela which commenced Saturday with drawing sessions held at Apna Ghar, Merces for the residents as well as Sneha Mandir, Ponda for their senior citizen, will now constitute a part of the heritage art mela being conducted in the afternoon today. “Everybody is invited to participate. Besides the art mela which will be held in the foyer, first floor and lobby of Kala Academy, there will also be an exhibition of old coins as well as heritage craft and art works from personal collections,” explains Kapil. Adding fun to the event, young children from the Supernova Dance Academy will perform a dance recital while those from the orphanage Care and Companion, Altinho will sing a song.
Raring to go, these youngsters hope that this awareness programme will continue through the years.
Heritage Art Mela will be held at Kala Academy, Panjim on Sunday from 2.30 pm to 6 pm
