About the experience

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A journey into Goa through its politics. The lives of everyone living in a democratic country are constantly impacted by its politics, yet we all understand so little of it. Politics is loaded, dynamic and constantly evolving. In the political landscape, how has one of India’s smallest and newest states held its own? From being the first European colony in Asia to attaining full statehood in the largest democracy in the world, how has this journey impacted the local Goan, the region and the country? We have put together a curated travel program that takes you deep into Goa to have a dialogue with its people. The historian's perspective, the artists take, the journalists view. The youth and their aspirations and the challenges they face. All these are put together in a 4 day travel program which will include visits, presentations, talks and activities through which we hope you will understand Goa a little better. 

Highlights

• Stay in a heritage hotel in Fontainhas 

• Heritage walk at Old Goa to understand colonization and the initial policies of the Portuguese and its impact

• Goan Saraswat Lunch at a family owned restaurant and an interaction with them on their perspective of Goa and its politics

• A guided walk through a restored fort with a passionate historian

• A talk and interaction with senior journalists about the single most important event in the formation of Goa state, the events and the circumstances under which Goa’s state was formed

• Heritage walk through the narrow lanes of Panjim and the context under which the capital was shifted from Old Goa to Panjim and its implications

• Visit to a local Panchayat and discussion with the Panch members and villagers on the operations of the Panchayat, its politics and the role the democracy plays at the grassroots level

• Visit to the secretariat and guided walk through the power corridors of the state to understand its bureaucracy and policies. 

Itinerary

Day 01 | Arrival, Check in, Orientation

Welcome, your stay is at a heritage hotel in the heart of Panjim and one of Goa’s most iconic areas and definitely the most photographed. Fontinhas is home to narrow streets steeped in history that adds to its vibe and charm, walk past white washed chappels, goan mansions, old bakeries and bars. Check in to a heritage hotel. Once you have settled in, meet up with the group and a short orientation to the schedule of the next 3 days followed by drinks and dinner. Overnight stay

 

Day 02 | Colonization and the Opinion Poll

Breakfast at the hotel, we take you to Old Goa, the first place in Asia to fall under European rule. Here we have curated half a day’s walk and interactive session with historians. You will understand the circumstances under which Europeans established themselves and their growth, their agenda of religious conversion and their politics. 

 

Later drive to Reis Magos Fort, where we bring to you a Goan culinary experience from the kitchens of the Saraswat Community. Served on Banana leaves with traditional Goan delicacies like Tisriyache Dangar (Clam Cutlets), Sungtachi Udatmethi (Prawn curry) and many more. After the lunch join a historian as he takes you through the historic Reis Magos Fort and the various roles it played during different eras 

 

Return to the hotel for an interactive session about the single most important event in the formation of Goa, the opinion poll. The only instance in India’s history where a referendum was held. The story of how Goa retained its identity and its implications to the present day. Post dinner we take you through a tavern trail of Goa, hop from one local bar to another, meeting and unwinding with the locals, overnight stay

Day 03 | Formation of Panjim and an artists take on the politics of Goa

Breakfast at the hotel, exploration of Fontinhas and Panjim through a walk that takes you into the circumstances under which the capital was shifted from Old Goa to Panjim, the politics of its time and the plan of the grand new city. Later drive to Museum Of Goa and have a relaxed lunch at the MOG Art Cafe, have an interactive session with Dr.Subodh Kerker the founder of the Museum of Goa. 

 

Museum of Goa is a contemporary art space with art works inspired by the histories of Goa. Dr Subodh Kerker is an acclaimed artist himself and his works have deep influences of Goa, its oceans, politics and trade. Dr Kerker will have an interactive session about the freedom struggle of Goa and its current state. 

 

The villages of Goa are unique in different ways, colonization has left its imprint and now lately with rapid growth in tourism, everyone wants to own their piece of Goa. In such a situation have you wondered how democracy empowers its constituents how politics operates? We take you to a village Panchayat to give you a glimpse into the working of the nuts and bolts of grassroot level politics. Have interactive sessions with the ward members and the Panchayat and understand their challenges.  

 

Later return to the hotel for dinner and along with it a discussion on  everything about  Goa, its history, politics and its biggest challenges in different contexts. Overnight stay

 

Day 04 | Check out

Breakfast at the hotel and check out and for the last visit and session we take you to the Legislative assembly of Goa. A guided walk through the power corridors of Goa. Experience the assembly (if in session) while the marshals explain the workings of the assembly and the powers each citizen has in a vibrant democracy. Later proceed with your onward journey. 

 

Notes

• This itinerary is designed for a special interest group of a small size to 10 to 15 guests

• Accommodation will be in double sharing rooms in a heritage hotel in Fontainhas Panjim

• All meals are included starting from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure. 

• All logistics and local visits will be included in the package in AC cars / Mini bus

• Arrival and departure transfers can be arranged if the whole group arrives and departs together it would be charged as per actual and is not included in the costing

• This is a daft itinerary and all visits and interactive sessions with resource person will be confirmed as per the dates and on confirmation we could proceed with booking

• Visit to the Secretariat depends on security approval and if it is not feasible we shall replace the visit with other options

 

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