Konkani Fundays

First off, Best of wishes to all for Diwali. This year too forgetting that we are still in a pandemic, we celebrated Diwali with great gusto. It was a great day with people visiting the temple, the customary puja at home, great food and visiting relatives. Goa has a unique tradition of Narkasurs. This year too saw a whole lot of great quality narkasurs around goa specificaly around panaji, St Inez, Bhatlem and Taleigao. In the last 2 years, the only good development in panaji its seems has been with the improved quality of Narkasurs. But somehow i feel the true meaning of building narkasurs is lost. It looks like we are celebrating narkasurs rather then Krishna killing him. The old unwritten rule to have a kid Krishna is no where to be seen. Young kids are just blaring loud techno or other music which has no connection to the festival celebration. There could be a limit to how loud the music could be played and the time range. Also probably the music could be improved. Secondly, Since the main thing is burning the narkasurs, the committees building the narkasurs should ensure the effigies are properly burnt. Till 2 days later, there were many remnants of effigies not properly burnt or cleared from the road side cause inconvenience to travelers. Lets understand its not the municipalities responsibility to burn the narkasure of clear it. They can collect the remains after they are sorted properly in the side. Lets ensure we spread the true meaning of Diwali, ensure old traditions are maintained and mainly understanding that it symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".

The roads in taleigao, bhatlem, mala have been mended for the time being and this has resulted in the traffic congestion to some extent being reduced. Although work still needs to be done to improve the roads at patto. Not sure what it will take to improve that? Secondly i have seen that since the roads have been fixed, new work to dig the roads has already started at a couple of places. So the time and money spent to repair the road looks like a waste. Again money needs to be spent to fix the road again. I assume there would be more coordination in the planning and approval if such works. Lastly there needs to be more accountability of the contractors, reviewer and authorities to ensure the roads built lasts longer, the fixes done also are not done for a short term. I have not seen any action taken against anyone for worsening road conditions. Please send in your thoughts or comments on this subject at konkanifundays@gmail.com #Konkani #Goa #roads #PattoPlaza

Today we rant about the stupid, useless people who senselessly use mobile phones while driving or riding their vehicles causing risk not only to themselves but also to the public at large. Their acts should be punishable and strict action needs to be taken against them. Please send in your thoughts or comments on this subject at konkanifundays@gmail.com #goa #konkani #stupiddrivers #mobileusage

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to one and all. Today we talk about a couple of stories of why we are told to avoid looking at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi day. There might be more stories to this or there may be more stories related to chaturthi. Let us know such stories at konkanifundays@gmail.com. #GaneshChaturthi #AvoidTheMoon #Goa #Konkani

Atal Setu is in news for being closed for 100days for maintenance. It was touted to stand strong for 100years, but only after about 2yrs, it have required maintenance. Hopefully govt and concerned authorities will investigate this situation. But the good news is that a brand new sandaas has been inaugurated at the joggers park at altinho. The best cement, tiles etc. are used to have a sandaas that will last for 100 years. Sure!!! Yes, what we need is not a strong bridge but a strong sandaas(joke). Anyways, anyone visiting joggers park, please make full use of the sandaas, and let us know your experience at konkanifundays@gmail.com #sandaas #joggerspark #atalsetu #goa #konkani

The Corona pandemic might end(hopefully soon), and can become as casual as a common flu in the future with vaccinations and herd immunity. But the pandemic of spitting on the roads might never end. What can be done to stop this menace? Is educating such people, publicly shaming them or better law enforcements needed? I talk about this in todays podcast. #Goa #Konkani #Spitting #SwachhBharatAbhiyan #SwachhBharat # Let me know your thoughts/suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com. You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays.

India have done fairly well till now w.r.t to medals but could have done even better if some of the favorites had won their events, But we are trending upwards. Greatest news is with our men's and women's hockey teams reaching the semis and Men's team finally winning a medal after 41yrs. But many sports in the Olympics are American/European like sailing, skateboarding, canoeing etc where Indians don't have any presence. So that makes me wonder if we can have some India specific sports like Kabaddi or Carrom to the Olympics. These are an expanding sports with World cups etc. held and many countries now participating. So why not? From Goans perspective why not add road riding/driving as an exhibition sport. In Panaji, the administration have been good enough to give us some challenging roads with potholes ridden all over, roads with cracks, difficult to see speed-breakers, which have made us Panjikars and definitely Goans expert riders. We can surely teach the world who would be shocked at our skill level, hand-eye-leg-heart coordination. Bring on the next Olympics, lets add these sports there. #Olympics #TokyoOlympics #Goa #Konkani #Kabaddi #Carrom #RoadRiding #potholes Let us know your thoughts on konkanifundays@gmail.com. You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays.

In this podcast I rant about: 1. CM failing to meet his promise of 100% vaccination of eligible people by 31July 2. HM Rane going back on his earlier words and saying there were no deaths due to oxygen shortage. 3. Some stupid people throwing garlands used in rituals while travelling via bus over mandovi bridge. Let us know your thoughts on konkanifundays@gmail.com. You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays #vacinnation #O2Shortage #corona #StupidPeopleOnBus #Goa #Konkani

We started off well with Mirabai Chanu winning the silver in weight lifting. But as the days have progressed our archers and shooters have disappointed. Before they left for the games, many were touted as sure shot medal winners, but performances have not supported the claim. There is still some way to go in these games with boxing, wrestling and badminton to go which may bring in some good news. But the questions still remains if we are putting too much pressure on these athletes to win that they buckle under the pressure or the pre tournament ranking performances are giving us false hope which need to be checked. I see that some of our less watched/followed sports like fencing, swimming, sailing have done better than expected, which backs my theory of undue pressure bring down the athlete. Let me know your thoughts at konkanifundays@gmail.com. You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays #tokyoOlympics #konkani #goa #olympics2021 #mirabaichanu

In this podcast, i just rant about the constant calls for car servicing. In these times of pandemic and lockdowns, our cars anyways are not running that many miles. But still the service centers keep calling for car servicing, even after the free servicing is done. Looks like they too are seeing slowdown in business. But i feels keeping car active, tires checked should be fine, and servicing can be done once a year. Also ensure you confirm what all things are added in their package and price, because they have tendency to add things to fix after you have delivered the car for servicing. The other irritating thing is the number of times they keep calling after servicing requesting to give 'Excellent' rating. Why do they expect such high ratings for routines servicing. If someone has feedback to be given they should give it. If you also face such issues, let me know my sending a mail on konkanifundays@gmail.com. You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays #carservicing #goa #konkani #ratingrequest

In todays episode, we talk about latest news around CM requesting the gap between the two doses of vaccine for teaching staff to be reduced to 20days from 84days; The beautiful news of petrol price century in Goa and the decision to hold entrance exam for science stream of XI std and diploma courses. Keep listening! Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays #Goa #Konkani #VacinneDosesGap #PetrolPriceCentury #PetrolPrice #EntranceExam

Xth and XXth standards results are out. I am not sure what formula was used and frankly I don't think many others do. But results are out and we have over 99% students clearing the exams. Congrats to all. The questions that comes to mind are why those miniscule students failed without having appeared for exams.. Maybe they might have passed if exams were held..who knows. Secondly, on one is talking about the Std XI students. Has anyone thought about them? What are they feeling? Did they give their exams and what next for them if courses and exams continue this wave. Hopefully things normalize enough to open the schools/colleges. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays #BoardResults #StdXIStudents #OpenSchools #WeWillDefeatCovidForReal

Olympics are back after a 1 yr delay due to the Covid pandemic. India is sending its largest contingent of around 127 athletes and I am expecting us to to better than Rio Olympics where we returned only 2 medals. This time around we have a few world beaters in shooting, wrestling, boxing, Badminton from whom we can expect medals. I am expecting India to get back our largest ever medal return, even bigger than the London Olympics where we won 6 medals. Athletes like Saurabh Chaudhary, Manu Bhaker, Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, Ravi Dahiya, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, PV Sindhu, Amit Panghal are in some of the best form of their lives on international stage and have the capacity to win the gold. I am expecting our hockey team to do well and see the progress we have made since the last Olympics. Listen in to the episode to get more details of the athletes and events we are participating in. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays #Olympics #Tokyo2020 3IndiaatOlympics #ManuBhaker #NeerajChopra #Boxing #wrestling #shooting

Its still 9months to go for the assembly elections in Goa, but AAP and Kejriwal have already started preparations. And with that they have started in some cases childing politics. That's fine all do and probably learn, but this AAP team will need more time. Kejriwal made a mistake in thinking what worked for him in Delhi will work in Goa by declaring free electricity till 300 units if they come to power. From where will he give it free. Plus poverty is not as much an issues in Goa as it is in Delhi that some free sops will sway the votes in your direction. Secondly the other mistake he made is to show his support for the taxi union. This is a childish ploy to see if he can get mileage for the ongoing tussle between the taxi union with the govt. But he doesn't realize that the Goan public is with the govt on this issue. For long Goans have been taken for a ride by these taxi-walas at exorbitant prices. The govt move to enforce taxi meters will not only help tourists but also general public. There are multiple poster put around many places proclaiming Goa loves Kejriwal. This is a funny way to show love to Kejriwal by Goans by not ensuring a single seat to be won by AAP. May this love continue. Listen in to the entire episode and let me know your thoughts. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays #Konkani #Goa #AAPPolitics #Kejriwal #taximeters #GoaDoesntLoveKejriwal

There was a release from the CM that Goa can open up tourism only when all citizen over 18 are inoculated with at least one jab of the vaccine. He has also set the target to get this done by July 30th. A big goal or an empty promise in view of declining public support, only the future will tell. But does it make sense to open up tourism during the monsoons when usually its the off season, Is Goa and its infrastructure ready? Currently we are experiencing regular power cuts, slow mobile and broadband networks. Roads are a different and sorrowful matter. In such cases should we allow tourist in and what feedback will they take back. Long gone are the times when Goa could rely on its past glories of a great tourist destination. Now Govt needs to seriously things of improving the infrastructure to attract tourists. Also, hopefully the implementation of taxi meters in our taxis is completed in time before the tourism is opened. and govt agencies should ensure that the meters are functional and that drivers take the people only with meters on. Anyways, on this Kranti diwas, I hope there is Kranti in tourism industry in the near future with excellent infra and safe/economical travel. #tourism #Goa #TaxiMeters #Corona

Euro 2020 is finally getting underway on 11June. It will be played across 11 cities across Europe as a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the European competition. Listen in to get details on the venues, rule changes and groups to be ready for the start of the competition. Add your comments to let us know your predictions for the tournament. #Euro2020 #football #EuropeanChampionship #60thAnniversary

14 May - on this auspicious day on Akshaya Tritiya and Eid, we got a gift from govt, with new vaccine slots opening across 32 centers in goa for 18+ citizens. It turned out to be a really high paced, a test of ones agility, patience, perseverance, tenacity. Many people were successful getting one of the slots while many more have to wait for their turn. Looks like we will have many more slots to open soon and atleast its a step in the right direction. Just like this, hope the issues around oxygen availability and required infrastructure are sorted so that people worst affected by the virus have some respite. Keep listening for another gift given to us today. #vaccines #corona #EidMubarak #AkshayaTritiya #Goa #Konkani

India is facing the 2nd wave of corona which seems to be deadlier. Many states including goa have gone into some form of lockdown and the ask is to stay home as much as possible. We have done this before when this all started in March 2020. We kinda enjoyed it and many people took the opportunity to connect with their families and explore various hobbies. Many people took to dalgona coffe, biscuit cakes, cooking, dancing, painting, and invariably these made it to facebook, watsapp and went viral. Come this second wave and lockdown, I dont see people going back to their hobbies. There is gloom and anxiety around. Maybe because the situation is bad this time around and many souls have been lost. But the best we can do is toughen up, get back to our hobbies, and share them over facebook and watsapp rather than forwarding the grim corona news and forwards. Spread hope and motivation. Lets pas a happy message today. #hobbies #trends #positivity #dalgonacoffee #cakes #painting #dancing #fightcorona

Marathi serials coming out with new episodes needs to be appreciated as they are being brave enough to be working during these times to bring us content, which families can sit around forgetting for some time the pandemic. I thank the marathi serial industry for bringing us some joy. The only advice as a viewer would be to work on the scripts to add some joyous/fun elements rather than the grim/sad stories. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

These past few weeks have passed hearing some depressing news related to corona and that leads to anxiety and depression. Todays election results coverage throughout the day distract us from the grim news going on and kinda saved my day. Lets try to focus on different things in life and stay positive. #staypositive #electionResults2021 #StayHomeStaySafe #newscoverage Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

Goa govt has called for a sort of lockdown in Goa. Take this opportunity over the long weekend to stay home, stop thinking of whats going on, focus on yourself and your family, reconnect over family games like antakshiri etc. and stay positive. #StayHomeStaySafe #PositiveThinking #LockdownpeJeet #Goa #Konkani Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

Goa CM announced new restrictions starting 10pm on 21st Apr till 30 Apr in goa to tackle the rising cases of corona. A few establishments are allowed to remain open at 50% capacity but it remains to be seen how they will be enforced. Also there is a night curfew from 10pm to 6am. How the night curfew and 50% capacity of these businesses which operate mostly at night run in parallel remains to be see. Listen to my views on these. Stay safe guys. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

A select band of super clubs in Europe have decided to break away from Champions League football and form their own breakaway league. What are they planning and what might be their motive. We talk about it in this podcast. Do check it out. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

We will give our views on the protest by some student against holding of std 10th and 12th board exams, saying that they are fearing for themselves and their families to go to the exams centers. This they are doing by gathering for protest throwing social distancing for a toss. Secondly, the taxi drivers also want to protest against app based taxi services. They dont want to install meters on their taxis which is a court taken decision, but also don't want competition. The govt needs to stay firm and not play vote politics to appease a particular section. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

Goa CM Pramod Sawant has announced restriction on public functions, political meeting etc. Need to see how the govt machinery can enforce them. How we can stabilize the spread of virus, What govt is doing to increase beds for corona care treatment, std 10th and 12th exams - we have a short rant about what's going on this week post this announcement in this podcast. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

Who wins.. series vs movie, details vs star cast. We bring to you our review of the two shows based on the life of stockbroker Harshad Mehta. Just an advice: although these two shows are based on real life events, I assume the writer/director have taken liberty in adding some masala. SO watch these only for entertainment and not try to find reality in it. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

The quarterfinals draws are out and following are the draws: Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid vs Liverpool Porto vs Chelsea Listen to my predictions on how these draws might pan out based on recent form and which teams are more likely to win from here on. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

In this episode I try to shed some light on India's chances at this years edition of the All England Open badminton championships. We have some very good prospects in S Kidambi and PV Sindhu apart from some other strong players. We will talk about their draws and chances of doing well in this edition. Keep listening. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

Podcasting as a concept or a medium of content sharing is relatively new in India. We already have a huge number of content creators vying for a following over youtube, twitter, instagram, tiktok etc. Fo new creators unless the content is really unique or great, it is very difficult to make a mark. Thus, starting early on podcast can give you that early push to focus on your content and hopefully create an audience. But only come here if your main focus is your content, and not a way to make big money. Listen to my podcast wherein i talk about my experience as a new podcaster and what i would like other podcasters to focus on. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

Yesterday FC Goa lost a tightly fought playoff semifinals over 2 legs which culminated in a surreal penalty shootout to Mumbai FC. FC Go had its chances to win the series especially the 1st leg but the result is not what most of us Goan expected. In this podcast, I talk about my views on the FC Goa season, if they deserved to win this season, the shortcoming i see in the team and what improvements they can make, and a rundown of the actual penalty shootout - all 18kicks long. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

Are we seeing a 2nd surge of corona related cases in goa? Are we relaxed now and dropped our guard? What can we do to control it? These questions need to be asked by all Goans to themselves first. Self introspection is required before pointing fingers at others. Although enforcement of SOPs is still an issue I feel which government agencies can do a better job of.

As we are nearing the 1st anniversary of the lockdown in India, the country is moving to vaccinate the health care workers along with the senior citizens. There still seems to be some skepticism around the vaccine with the govt doing all it can to instill confidence in the same. The general process followed is commendable and we need to ensure that we take an informed decision whether to take it or not and not be swayed by watsapp media. Please consult your doctor if confused and not the building uncle. Please send in your valuable suggestions at konkanifundays@gmail.com You can also follow us on twitter @konkanifundays

What do the biker riders think when they are riding their bikes on think roads? Or do they even think? I don't think so as they forget basic traffic rules, civic sense, and all of a sudden have to be somewhere earlier then expected. Not sure what fake ego boost they get by speeding and overtaking others even if its from the left hand side. All this when they don't even wear helmets half the time. I am sure all that will survive of them in an accident would be their elbow on which the helmet is placed. What can one do to avoid this mayhem? Any amount of policing and education can enlighten some people, unless it comes from within. We can improve infrastructure, roads, even have separate lanes for bikes, but unless we decide ourselves to follow rules, things will not change much. Tourist coming and riding these rent-a-bike is another concerns as they also breaks rules and run scot free. This need to be checked before it goes out of hand.

For many of us under lockdown, some serials kept us going. Prime time marathi serials are watched across maharashtra, konkan and goa. But now that we are out of lockdown, the serials are just getting stretched, so much so that the quality is getting effected. For e.g. Aga Bai Sasubai - It has characters not likely in the real world, atleast with the evilness of the characters shown. Ok, probably gets audiences hooked. But what now? They are simply stretching the serials. Everytime we think the serial should end, they are getting twists, and now with no bad things happening, they are simply pachpachit. We see other marathi and hindi serials also getting strectched thereby impacting their quality. Cant they understand it, and just end the shows? Or can we the end users just stop watching it? Why not watch live sports, documentaries, music shows etc. which have an ending? Lets introspect rather than falling in a trap of such serials.

In the last episode I talked about nobody giving people lift. Now due to the rising petrol prices in Goa and in India, even riding a bike or car will be untenable. Can the govt. reduce or control the prices? if not then I don't know what, but maybe we may have to start cycling or walking more for short distances. Don't expect anyone giving lift though!!

Think about it. In goa where the transport system is not so great; at least from the short distance; some people have been relying on taking lift. During the corona pandemic, such people have stopped asking for lift, or have been looked down upon. I feel these are one of the biggest sufferers, and they cant wait for the pandemic to get over so that they can start receiving their lift again.