Holly

Christmas 2022
Jolly

The Christmas
connect
Why does our charitable
nature peak at Christmas
more than any other time
of the year

Green and
clean Christmas
Reducing pollution, re-use
and re-gifting can be new
trends in Christmas
Global Tried &
Once upon a time on a Goenkars sing Tasted
Christmas Day... ‘Angels we have heard Christmas recipes
with a twist
we all loved to live, to sing! on high’ together!
hAPPY

2023
 6

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Canteen Workers
Medical Examination

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A-3, 1st Floor, Desai Kerkar Arcade, Above Subhash Photo Studio, Near Hotel Menino, Ponda-Goa
07
Message from the cardinal
08
The Christmas connect
14
Green and clean Christmas
16
Once upon a time on a Christmas
Day... we all loved to live, to sing!
22
The Carmelite Christmas in Goa
26
Remembering Baby Jesus in this
joyous time of the year…
30
Consoada:sharing of assortment
of Christmas goodies
34
The Giving Tree initiative at
Chicalim
36
Christmas in Europe: Instilling
hope amidst adversity
40
Christmas spirit in Swindon
47-69
Tried & Tasted: Christmas recipes
with a twist
70
Translating the true spirit of
Christmas into deeds
74
Global Goenkars sing ‘Angels we
have heard on high’ together!
78
Stars: ‘Spending Time And Reaping
Smiles’ all the year round!
84
How beauty & charity go knitting
in Christmas décor!
88
In Germany, expats celebrated
Christmas with other expats!
92
Christmas celebrations in three
continents
96
A Christmas Meditation
98
Caritas Goa: Spreading seeds of
kindness across Goa and the world
102
Capturing the Christmas spirit in
lens...
Holly Jolly Christmas
C
hristmas celebrations have come a long way, ever since the
first one was held in Rome on December 25, 336 AD. For
two millennia, people across the world have been celebrating
Christmas with practices that are both religious and secular.
It is a festival that brings people of all religions and communities
together, and it is a festival of love, humanity, caring and sharing.
In a world where change is a constant, the traditions of celebrating
Christmas have evolved over the years. For example, in Goa, the
practice of exchanging "kusvad", a homemade platter of goodies,
with neighbours, relatives and friends, in keeping with the spirit
of giving at Christmas, has died down over the years. The joys of
involvement in making sweets or decorative stars at home have
faded too. The modern-day Christmas celebration has been soaking
in commercialisation and letting go of traditions that had their
charm.
The only constant has been that Christmas keeps bringing together
people and communities across all religions and backgrounds. Award-
-winning British author Rosie Thomas so aptly wrote: "Christmas
works like glue. It keeps us all sticking together".
In keeping with this spirit of Christmas, we at The Goan present
our annual offering - Holly Jolly Christmas - a comprehensive book on
the festival and what it means to Goa and Goans spread worldwide.
It covers different facets of Christmas, including traditions, and the
range of celebrations, besides an exciting segment on Christmas
recipes with a 'twist' curated by professional chefs.
Compassion, harmony and tolerance across communities have
been the striking features of Goa's template. The book seeks to
highlight and celebrate this aspect of oneness that is strikingly
visible during Christmas.
We wish everyone a very joyous and peaceful Christmas. Let the
spirit of Christmas shine in your heart and light your path.
— Joel Afonso
Editor
 Message from the Cardinal

I
begin by offering my warm Christmas greetings and heartfelt best wishes to all
those who are reading this Message, sent out through The Goan.
To the rest of the world, Christmas may seem an annual festival with all the
noise, the lights and the merrymaking that go with it. But the followers of Christ
know that Christmas is about God taking on our human flesh in order to make
His dwelling among us. The Christmas story “teaches us to contemplate Jesus, to
experience God’s love for us, to feel and believe that God is with us and that we
are with Him, His children, brothers and sisters all, thanks to that Child who is the
Son of God and the Son of the Virgin Mary” (Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter
Admirabile Signum, dated 1st December 2019).
The celebration of the birth of the Divine Child in a stable of Bethlehem revolves
around the Christmas crib, which is put together, year after year, by individuals
and families, not seldom with the active and enthusiastic participation of people
of various faith communities, coming together in a true spirit of fraternity and
fellowship. This traditional inter-religious bonhomie among us Goans flows into our
social life as one sees people of other faiths visiting Christian homes and sharing
Christmas goodies and cheer and perhaps singing a Christmas Carol or two. Indeed,
in Jesus, the walls that divide and discriminate tumble down, to pave the way for
building bridges of healthy relationships among peoples.
Jesus left the abode of His heavenly Father in order to share in our humanity and walk
with us as a fellow-pilgrim on this earth, gently teaching us to transcend boundaries
that isolate or divide us and to discover new paths of peace and brotherhood that
bring us together on this our shared journey. Pope Francis reminds us that “no one
can experience the true beauty of life without relating to others, without having real
faces to love …… Life exists where there is bonding, communion, fraternity; and life
is stronger than death when it is built on true relationships and bonds of fidelity. On
the contrary, there is no life when we claim to be self-sufficient and live as islands;
in these attitudes, death prevails” (from Pope Francis’ Social Encyclical Fratelli Tutti).
The Church in India, which journeys in a pluralistic, multi-religious, multi-cultural
and multi-ethnic environment, has the mission of presenting the Good News that
God has provided for everlasting happiness for human beings through the gift of His
Son to the world. As the Christian world celebrates God’s gift in Jesus, I pray that
the same Jesus, for whom there was no room at the inn, may teach us all to make
room for others and to strive to build together a society where everyone belongs and
is recognized and loved.
A Happy Christmas to all people of good will and a sincere wish that the New Year
2023 may bring us greater Peace, Joy and Love.
Archbishop’s House, Panaji, Goa, December 14, 2022.

+ Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão

Archbishop of Goa and Daman

6
Holly Jolly
The Christmas connect
Why does our charitable nature peak at Christmas
more than any other time of the year
Dr Ubaldina Noronha
Associate Professor, Dept of Psychology
at St Xavier’s College
C
hristmas is coming. Again! Each time this
season brings to mind, conversations with my
youngest, some moons ago. She asked me once
if Christmas was Santa’s birthday. That led to
replacement of all the Christmas Santa decor around the
home with Nativity Cribs.
I was coaxing the same child to give away some
well-kept of her toys to the less fortunate children
during Christmas. As I was doing so, she popped two
questions that took me aback. She asked me if God
loved all the children, then why did he not give the poor
children toys directly and why did she have to give her
8 9
Volunteers of
the NGO ‘STARS’
entertain
residents of
a home in
Carambolim.
toys instead? And secondly, why during Christmas time
in particular and not at any other time of the year?
Let me tackle the second question first. Why does
our charitable nature peak at Christmas than any other
time of the year? Going by research, people are indeed
most charitable during this time of the year than any
other. Psychology and neuroscience have identified
many potential factors to explain this phenomenon. It
could be due to the increased opportunity to give simply
because there is an increase in donation drives.
There are chances that our generosity will be made
known to others making us feel good about ourselves.
Maybe, it is just a giving habit that has been inculcated
as a social norm that makes Christmas the charitable,
giving season for all. Perhaps it could also be the fat
Christmas budget that spares some money towards
giving away some of it.
Holly Jolly
Some people have increased empathy during this
time of the year to make up for guilt of over indulging
themselves at other times. Or the reward processing
areas of our brains are in overdrive for that warm
Christmas glow. I did not think however, the just
mentioned explanations would resonate enough
however to a young mind. I needed something more
meaningful.
So, I used the Christmas story instead. The Birth of
Jesus is a direct gift of God from Himself to the world. God
sent Baby Jesus to grow as one amongst us because He
wanted to connect with us in a way we could understand
as humans. While we received this gift of Baby Jesus, in
turn we acknowledged and accepted Him as our King
10
through the gifts of the three wise men. They gifted gold
symbolising kingship, frankincense indicating worship
and myrrh for anointing and embalming oil for death
and mourning. Hence, gift giving can be traced as a
tradition that is closely associated with Christmas itself.
The psychology behind “gift-giving” endorses that
it is indeed a way to show our feelings towards one
another. Through gifts, we connect and continue to
connect with each other every now and then. It is this
connect between us that makes us human and different
from any other species. There is indeed an innate need
for us to always reach out to others both, when in need
and in response to it by a giving nature.
So, I pointed to my child that giving away her toys
2023
A file photo
of the ‘Ode to
Jesus’ youth
group from
North and
South Goa who
came together
to help the
needy people
in Tormas-
Pernem.
11
Holly Jolly
Clients at the day-care centre in COOJ Mental Health Foundation,
Bastora, preparing Christmas hamper baskets.
can actually be done at any time of the year. But if she
has not been generous at other times, than at least
during Christmas, she has an opportunity to be so. Even
if she has already been generous throughout the year,
she can be even more generous at Christmas time as she
has been blessed with plenty. There is really no budget
for generosity.
Here in Goa, several organisations, associations
and groups reach out to various sections in society to
celebrate Christmas.
One such group ‘Ode to Jesus’ was initiated in 2016
when a few people got together and thought that
everyone should feel the joy of Christmas. So, they
chose a few places which have crowd and practised
a few carols and sung them out loud with a mob of
youngsters. They greeted people in Miramar, Panaji,
Porvorim and Margao with their Carolling Flash mobs.
Last year, the ‘Ode to Jesus’ group had an outreach
programme where they asked people to participate in
12
Students of Don Bosco in Panaji place items in Christmas Hampers,
to be handed over to the lesser fortunate sections of society.
2023
a campaign called ‘Joy of Giving’. People were asked to
donate clothing, toiletries, food items and these items
were given to needy people in a village called Tormas
in Pernem. For them, it was a joyful mission experience
in reaching out to the people in need. This year, they
intend to carry on with spreading the joy and cheer of
Christmas.
Now to my daughter’s first question, why does not
God give the poor children directly Himself? Well, God
is giving indeed to the poor children directly. Through
her. She is not Santa’s elf but God’s own chosen elf.
She is the keeper of the toy till she gives it away. Till
then, she can play with the toy. And in return, she will
experience a unique joy when she passes those toys to
another.
I think she understood what I meant to tell her. From
then on, I have in my car trunk, her toys to give away to
the less fortunate street children. If not throughout the
year, then definitely at Christmas. Always! 
13
Holly Jolly
Green and
clean Christmas
Reducing pollution, re-use
and re-gifting can be new
trends in Christmas
Dr Fr Bolmax Pereira
Convenor, Diocesan Commission for Ecology and Asst. Prof of
Botany at St Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim
T
he festive season is back. It's time to celebrate the
birth of our Saviour in the town of Bethlehem!
Yes, the town of Bethlehem celebrated the
First Christmas, with hordes of Angels singing
Glory to God in the highest and Peace to all men...;
Shepherds running to witness the proclamation made
by the Angels....we have come to worship Him. Magis
who followed the star to worship the King of all the
World born in a manger among the biodiversity of God's
creation. Ain't the first Christmas so green and clean?
More than 2,000 years later, we still celebrate that
birth which changed the course of history. In the present
era, the Gen-Next is so immersed in the Christmas
festivities, although we might be expressing it more
commercially and globally rather than spiritually and
religiously.
Why not make our Christmas clean and green? A
few thoughts:
1. THE SINGING ANGELS MODEL: It was indeed
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peaceful and soothing as the angels we heard on high
were singing and playing the music. Let's make our
parties sound green by simply following the decibel
limit officially set by the Goa State Pollution Control
Board (GSPCB). A Christmas without sound pollution.
2. THE CURIOUS SHEPHERDS MODEL: It was indeed
blessed and fulfilling when the curious shepherds
believed that the child born in a humble manger is
indeed the messiah who created the whole universe
and who sustains it. There are so many opportunities we
curiously come across. Lot of money is being pumped
in to buy land and develop properties. Let's make our
Christmas celebration develop green by simply flushing
out our greed and thus save the destruction of our land.
A Christmas without land destruction.
3. THE GIFTING MAGIS MODEL: It was indeed
joyous and meaningful when the Magis from the East,
led by the star worshipped the Saviour of the world.
And gifted him gold, myrrh and frankincense.
More than any other era, today's generation indulges
in giving and receiving of gifts and presents during the
Christmas season. It will do a world of green good if
the family or friends group agreed on spending limit
A file photo of an
eco-friendly Crib
presented at the
Chicalim Church in
December 2021.
for such gifting; agree upon choice of gifts which can
be sourced from local artisans, local handicraft fairs,
which will greatly reduce the impact of transportation
that contributes significantly to greenhouse emissions
and global warming.
Imported gifts are often expensive and often lose the
connect with local story of living.
If re-use is considered as good etiquette for nature
conservation why not consider re-gifting as a new
new trend in Christmas green gifting? The dress that
was already worn, yet carries that shine worthy of
Christmas party can still be reused by you or someone
else. Inheriting the clothes from your older siblings and
even elders at home might be a lost trend that can be
boldly re activated and get rid of "buy and throw away"
culture. It surely will save a lot for the environment.
And there are gifts to be avoided this Christmas. Spend
less on toy gifting. It doesn't serve much ecologically.
Gifting games that promote violence should be replaced
by peace promoting games and toys. Games showcasing
nature's creativity and educational toys and games
would be a great choice. The sale of batteries that cause
great damage to environment on its disposal is often
observed to rise during this season. Why not consider
'battery free gifts only'? A Christmas without mindless
Holly Jolly
expenditure.
PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS
This Christmas, I would personally inculcate "Buy
smart" for ecology. The first point I would think while
buying is, what would I do with it after the festival?
How would I dispose it off after its use? Anything that
will damage the environment after its use is out from
my buy list. Fireworks that thrill but kill silently are no
good buys for me any more. Hence, goodbye fireworks
– I can celebrate better, cleaner and safer without it. To
make it greener, I do not buy what is not needed. Like
an extra pair of new shoes, extra trousers and apparels
when my wardrobe currently needs defenestration.
MY GREEN SANTA: And as I think of Santa Claus,
I cannot avoid imagining our elected representatives
moving with that red big bag on their shoulders. But
instead of distributing goodies that would generate more
waste around, I imagine them lifting and collecting the
thrash that has been disposed unscientifically and
unhygienically all over the place. Hope the gift loving
children would not hate my Santa who wants to gift
them with fresh environment and clean air. Till then,
no more 'disposable gifts' this Christmas.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITMENTS:
In this era of fast changing climate when the world
is talking about mitigating the problem by reducing
our carbon footprints, we cannot afford to keep our
celebrations unchanged. Lot of unpopular conscious
changes will need to be part of our celebrations to
guarantee:
* No food wastage (RSVP invites, No unlimited
service)
* Low waste generation (no use of disposable cups
and plates)
* Law adherence to comply with environmental
laws reg. noise pollution, air pollution, water and land
pollution
* Eco-friendly decorations only
* Guests clean after party (how Japanese fans cleaned
stadiums after football matches)
* Fine those caught littering around at the party
venue.
Let's strive in simple ways to make this Christmas
clean and green for everyone.
15
Holly Jolly
Once upon a time on a
Christmas Day... we all
loved to live, to sing!
Festivals, all over, have really stopped
being religious and have become the
greatest commercial ventures. The
reasons though multi-fold boil down
to a basic one; we have stopped
making time, to care, really...
16
Maendra Alvares
Founder of Ancestral Goa, Big Foot in Goa
I
t began, for me, a very curious thought process and
brought to mind a pageant I had witnessed. There, the
actor playing the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus,
asked Joseph what the festival was turning out to be.
The idea behind what the season should have been had
been lost and she was wondering when it had stopped
being about the story of a little child born in a humble
stable. The child, who later was known as Jesus, as the
beautiful song said, ‘Mary did you know, that your baby
boy…. when you kiss your baby, you kissed the face of
God…’
Festivals, all over, have really stopped being religious
and have become the greatest commercial ventures.
The reasons though multi-fold boil down to a basic
one; we have stopped making time, to care, really. So,
it really has become the one factor that should have
17
Holly Jolly
created a space for us to take time off from the hectic
of everyday and find a space to reflect upon what the
whole idea of this truly beautiful festival should have
been all about; the family. Now, it has become all about
meeting work-deadlines, carting off gifts in crowded
malls and shopping centres and buying up things that
will eventually have no space in the post festive mania.
The big industries make it all about catering to the
‘need’. What they really are doing is filling our lives
with the psycho-babble that ensures their economic
graph rises and of course our false notion that there is
‘someone’ out there who takes care of the mundane.
And so the cycle gets more vicious as the years go by.
As a little boy, I remember that Christmas, for me
and my family, was being together, the prelude to the
25th December being the making of sweets, traditional
ones – the bustle and the aromas and the faces, though
tired, full of a sacred determination. The sowing of
wheat and ragi seeds, in soil carefully hoarded, to make
the hills and valleys over which little coloured clay
figurines of the shepherds, the sheep and the Magi were
placed. The assembling of the crib was a joint effort
that involved family and friends, these, irrespective of
religious orientation. Dry hay and the fitting of the twigs
to make a crib was a process that required ‘architectural’
18
2023
knowhow and ‘engineering’ skills to fit the little wheels
to ensure water flow. Everyone had an ‘expert opinion’,
of course!
What also caused a huge leap in the hearts besides the
paper wrapped gifts were the crocheted covered trays
that went from one house-hold to the next! I remember
waiting with bated breath to find out what had come
back to our household. The oil-laden aroma was a given
and unlike today, the stronger the scent of deep-fried
sweets, the tastier the fare. Today, the pastry-stores
have already prepared brochures of the hampers, the
rates and the list of what is on offer. For a few years
now, even a bottle of wine has been added.
Like one such hamper giver said: I have no time
for this. I am so busy and all this is such a waste of
time! The hamper was a plastic tray with a few bits
of coloured string, sparkly chords and a huge green
cellophane wrapper around the offering. This is what
we have whittled this beautiful season into; plastic and
trivialities.
Today, the stores are full of ready-to-buy-off-the-
-shelf cribs. The figurines are plastic and brightly
coloured specimens. Every store-window display is
a hectic rush of garish colour, bright lights and the
most attractive, on-sale items. That is Christmas, now,
19
Holly Jolly
today. The two years of the dreaded pandemic ensured
a return to self-sufficiency. Though brief, the hiatus was
a welcome, back-to-the-roots, idea. Everyone took to it
enthusiastically. And surely, like every hiatus the space
of brief and short-lived died an ignominious death.
Way back, in 2006, in Singapore, I happened to be on a
visit with my family, post Thanksgiving Day. The streets
were an electrical wonder for us. The angels atop the
lamp-posts, the string lights that festooned every street
were like magic strung upon the night. It was a foreign
concept to someone for whom so much splendour was
an expensive whew! Today, the same goes for many
other countries. Christmas in Lisbon, Portugal has a
wee touch of the Orient, vis-à-vis the strong Mandarin
presence. The artificial trees, the bright lights, the jangle
and noise of tinny sounds that accompany the sparkly
decorations has become a pervasive presence, all over.
In the past, the celebrations in Portugal and here in
Goa were all about a mirror of the heritage of festival
sharing; families getting together, the making of sweets
and the sharing of them was a common ground. It is a
20
sad statement that neither here, in Goa, nor there, in
2023
Portugal, has the drastic change caused even an iota of
loss.
I was privy to something very interesting, recently.
Someone shared that in one of the Board-papers
assessed, the student had written, in Portuguese, that
he/she had seen God and that he wore a red suit and
rode a bicycle in the streets of Margao! What a charming
thought! How many of us could do that; find joy, in
simplicity, in sharing of our resources and time with
those who are lonely, old and with no family, to fall
back on.
So, before we change to the monotone of one day here,
loud music, there and the rest of the world whirling in
a sense of chaos, let us stop, think and reverse our gears
to trying to infuse an old-world-charm into what was
once the sense of ‘good cheer’ and above all a wondrous
RAVI NAIK
kind of ‘magic’. Let us find divinity, in every face that
crosses our path and joy and hope in each moment that
matters to us. In fact, let us try to find our way back to
Minister for Agriculture, Handicrafts, Civil Supplies
how Christmas used to be… 
GOVT. OF GOA
MLA- Ponda Constituency
21
Holly Jolly
The
Carmelite
Christmas
in Goa
Various associations
of the religious order
celebrate Christmas in
different ways in Goa
J M John Marshal
Goa-based researcher on the Carmelite religious congregation
C
armel, which means “garden”, is an ancient
religious order of the Catholic church which gave
many saints such as St Terese of Liseiux (Little
Flower), St Theresa of Avila, St John of the Cross
etc. The Carmelite congregation focuses on “Allegiance
to Jesus Christ” and the nativity scene for the Carmelites
is an expression of it, especially celebrating the joy of
the advent.
PRESENCE IN GOA
The Discalced Carmelites came to Goa in 1620 and they
have 400 years of history on Goan soil. The contribution
of the Carmelites to Goan soil is commendatory. The
first martyrs of the worldwide Discalced Carmelite
order namely Bl. Denis and Redemptus lived in Goa. The
Carmelites shaped the first native Goan bishop namely
D. Matheus de Castro of Divar. The first Indegenous
Carmelite congregation of the whole of Asia was the
22
Chimbel Carmelites.
From historical sources, we understood that Nativity
was a season in accordance with the spirit and norms of
the Church they had celebrated in a prayerful way. This
was especially evident in the community celebration
of the Liturgy of the Hours specific for the season of
Advent. The joy of Christmas was preceded by a period
of austerity (eg. An obligatory fasting) which matched
well with the spirituality of the Carmelites of Old Goa.
The Carmelites of today in Goa also participate in
the same spirit according to the modern times. The
Carmelite order in Goa comprises the First Order of
Men Religious (Margao, Mapusa, Xelim), the Second
Order of Cloistered Nuns (Chicalim) and Third Order
of Laity (Margao and Mapusa). Besides, there are many
congregations (eg. Apostolic Carmel, Nuvem) which are
part of the wider Carmelite family.
CARMELITE CHRISTMAS
Christmas for the Carmelites is a special occasion of
strengthening their community life. They prepare for
this season devoutly through spiritual readings, Psalms,
File photo of
Carmel Youth
and Brothers
in formation
preparing the
Nativity Crib at
the Discalced
Carmelite
Monastery in
Margao.
Prayers etc. which they celebrate individually and as a
community. This time is also a joyous occasion for the
brothers in formation, by participating in community
prayers, aiding in setting up the Nativity scene and
assisting in the preparation of the Liturgy.
This is also a season in which the unity of the
Carmelites and their various associations (OCDS
Tertiaries, Carmel Youth, Catechists, Altar servers,
Legion of Mary, Carmel choir, Catenians, Women
League, Senior Citizen’s club, Divine Mercy groups etc.)
is especially evident.
The Carmel youth focuses on constructing the Nativity
Crib. The choirs engage in month-long celebrations to
assist the liturgy of Christmas. As a body with many
organs, the vitality of the Carmel family is especially
visible during the Nativity. All of them practice Charity
in their own way for the underprivileged keeping the
spirit of the Advent season.
The Carmelites also have an orphanage for women,
known as ‘Lar de Sta. Terezinha’ in Margao, which
also celebrates Christmas in a joyful way. Hailing from
various backgrounds and living in a home together, the
Holly Jolly
Christmas season is a family celebration for them that
cements the community bonds.
CLOISTERED NUNS
For the Cloistered Nuns, Christmas is a very special
occasion. Though they live in a state of strict enclosure
from the world to witness the importance of prayer, this
is an occasion that strengthens their community bonds
among themselves, with the Carmelite Fathers, with the
local clergy, the families of these cloistered nuns and
their benefactors.
The Cloistered Nuns have a tradition of ‘Taking Baby
Jesus' to their cells. The nuns assemble near the Crib daily
and each nun has to take Baby Jesus to her cell. St Teresa
of Avila fostered a special devotion to the Infant Jesus.
The fraternal visit of the men religious of the
Carmelites during Christmas is a visible sign that they
are of the same spiritual family nourished by their
spiritual Mother and Father. It is an occasion in which
by inviting the local clergy too, the Nuns establish a
prayerful link with the Archdiocese of Goa.
TERTIARIES
Goa has a special connection with the Tertiaries. It is
one among the first in the world where the tertiaries of
Carmel lived a life of enclosure in Chimbel dedicating
their lives for continuous recollection. In these days, the
Carmelite tertiaries witness and spread the spirituality
of Carmel in the world. They actively and vibrantly
participate in the Christmas as a community.
Within their community, they have a tradition of
“Christmas Friends” where through lots, two members
of the same community are assigned at the beginning
of the Advent to pray for each other throughout the
season. And on a community meeting around the
Christmas time, they exchange gifts and participate in a
community celebration of Christmas. They also engage
in Charities as a community.
The Carmelites witness this during the Advent
season by strengthening their fraternal bonds among
themselves, with the local Church and their benefactors
by vibrantly participating in various fraternal activities.
Carmelites envision Christmas as a time to build strong
communities of prayer centred on the mission of vision
of Jesus Christ. 
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Holly Jolly Holly Jolly
is lit up to represent the 4 themes. remembering family and friends, gifts and presents are

Remembering Baby Jesus in this God’s people - the candle of Hope;

The Old Testament prophets – the candle of Peace;
John the Baptist – the candle of Love;
also planned to add to the excitement. After all, there’s
joy in giving and receiving. Sweets and cakes and all
sorts of goodies are baked, good food is readied, and

joyous time of the year… Mary, the mother of Jesus – the candle of Joy.
As we get to December, we find activities galore.
Homes get decorated with buntings and Christmas trees
are put up in homes, with family members so engrossed
in the décor. It’s all a symphony of greens and red with
glittering ornaments on Christmas trees and lighting to
add even more glow. Pitch in the Christmas carols and
music, which remind us that Christmas is near.
Whilst some paint their homes, others are content
with lighting and décor. Everyone is so busy with their
shopping for Christmas. Gowns and suits and other
clothing to be worn are kept ready well in advance.
Some are busy with preparations for a Christmas party,
whilst some are setting up for a Christmas dance. Whilst
everyone is so set to have a festive time.
In all the hub of activities, often Baby Jesus is lost.
Many of us get so carried away by the festivities and
the activities that we may tend to forget the spirit of
Christmas. It’s a time to remember that God so loved
the world that he gave his only son to save mankind. It’s
a time for us to give our time, wealth, and love to each
other, especially to the ones that are less fortunate than
we are. Most of all, it’s time to forgive one another and
to become better human beings than we’ve been so far.
It’s only when we begin to love better, to care sincerely
and forgive unconditionally that we will be able to hope
for a better society as we move from a bright today to a
brighter tomorrow. 

Tony Fernandes after to send to family and friends well in advance.

Proprietor of Kimberly’s Computer Services in Margao The Catholic Church observes the season of Advent,
preparing for Christmas. It comprises of four consecutive

C
hristmas is a celebration for people all over the
world. It marks joy, happiness, and jubilation all
around. People are so busy with the nitty gritty
of this wonderful time of the year. One can hear
Christmas carols and festive music in shopping malls
starting as early as October. Christmas cards are sought
Sundays commencing towards the end of November
and culminating on Christmas eve. Each of these
Sundays has readings, prayers and traditional meanings
assigned to them. They represent Christian values of
love, joy, hope and peace. This is the season that marks
the preparation of the people to welcome the saviour of
the world. On each of the Sundays in Advent, a candle

26 27
Niyaaz Wishes You A Merry Christmas &
A Happy New Year!

&
Happy New Year 2023
Holly Jolly Holly Jolly

Consoada
sharing of Dr. Alvarinho J. Luis

assortment of
The writer is freelancer from Taleigão, who writes on scientific,
social and cultural themes

Christmas goodies
T
he Portuguese have left a rich legacy of delicious
sweets, which are arranged on a platter and
exchanged by Christians on Christmas Eve.
Derived from the Portuguese word ‘consoada’
meaning "Christmas dinner" (meal traditionally eaten
on Christmas Eve), it forms a religious ritual of sharing
an array of goodies with neighbours and near-and-dear
ones. The word Consoada refers to a meal taken at the
end of a day's fasting and is derived from the Latin word
"consolare," meaning "to comfort." In this context,
sending a consoada has special meaning because it is
given to those who are grieving the loss of a beloved
family member, and this can be done within one year
of the person's death. Normally, families in mourning
do not prepare sweets.
All sweets made at home for the festive season, such
as dodol, neureos, kormola, bebinca, kulkul’s, bolinhas,
cake, pinagre, oddes, bol, mandares, doce de grão, teias
de aranha, and some fruits and chocolates are arranged
in an artistic cane basket with a white cloth. The basket
is covered with beautifully handcrafted lacework and
delivered to the recipients. As a way of spreading
holiday joy, consoada was also delivered to neighbours
over the Christmas season, regardless of their religious
affiliation.
This practice has its origins in Europe. In the past,
people in Portugal, like most of Europe, kept their
doors open on Christmas Day to welcome any pilgrims
and travellers so they might make merry with the
welcoming family on December 25, a day of great
significance in the Christian world. Traditionally,

30 31
Holly Jolly
Portuguese eating habits were greatly influenced by the
Roman Catholic Church. Since the first day of Advent,
eating meat has been prohibited. So the main course
of the Christmas Eve dinner was cod fish, along with
potatoes and other veggies. Portuguese refer to this
quick meal as "consoada." After a long and chilly trip,
the pilgrims and their family members were comforted
by this light meal.
There is another view of this custom, which is
thought to have originated among the Hindu Brahmins
and the Bhatt Community. During the marriage
ceremony, Vhojem or gifts were sent to the house of
the new son-in-law. The sending of Vhojem could span
the first year of the marriage, from Ganesh Chaturthi
to Diwali and other small celebrations. Therefore, the
Vhojem custom was created centuries ago and is being
followed today.
Fruits, vegetables, sweets, and every other dish
prepared in the house were included in the Vhojem. To
32
get to the married daughter's home, all of these items
were placed in a huge 'pettaro' made of cane. In the
past, it was typically carried on the heads of women
or in bullock carts for long distances. The women who
carried the Vhojem were generously compensated with
money and gifts. Due to the abundance of the dishes
sent in the Vhojem, they were shared among friends
and neighbours of the son-in-law. Since the working
class in the Brahmins' homes followed this practice,
it has spread to the other social classes and is now a
practice in most Goan villages.
The Hindu Community may also send the Vhojem
to the homes of Hindu friends or family members who
are grieving the loss of a family member in that year.
During San Joao, neighbours sent seasonal fruits and
homemade sweets to pamper the son-in-law. Now it is
an obligatory ritual among the Christians in the villages
to send Vhojem or Kunswar (as it is known in Konkani)
to the mourning families during Christmas. 
33
 The Giving
Tree initiative
at Chicalim
Tags with donation suggestions are
placed on the Giving Tree

Tracy Saldanha
Coordinator at the Chicalim Parish Youth

T
he ‘Giving Tree’ initiative has been organised by
the youth of St Francis Xavier Church at Chicalim
to support families undergoing financial
difficulties by providing gifts for children during
the holiday season.
“The ‘Giving Tree’ initiative was started in the church
in 2019. Our goal has been to help and ease some stress
that comes from economic hardship and allow families
to enjoy this special time of year together,” said Chicalim
Parish Priest Fr Bolmax Pereira.
“Instead of placing gifts below the Christmas tree,
tags with donation suggestions are placed on the Giving
Tree. Volunteers are then encouraged to pick up a tag
and donate the item specified on the tag,” he added.
Fr Pereira said the ‘Giving Tree’ for this Christmas
season will be installed in the last week of Advent.
Neola Sybil Pereira, a youth from Chicalim and an
IAS aspirant studying at Chennai, has fond memories
of the previous ‘Giving Tree’ initiative at the church in
2019.
“It was a one of a kind initiative taken by the SFX
A file photo of
the ‘Giving Tree’
at the Chicalim
Church in 2019.
Parish Youth of Chicalim and I was happy to be a part of
it. It was truly nice to see my parishioners come forward
voluntarily and pick a tag from the giving tree.”
“It was amazing to receive such a massive response
and even amazing when the gifts were given away to the
ones that really needed it, making Christmas beautiful
for all,” said Neola.
Added another SFX Chicalim youth member and
systems admin, Nathaniel Nunes: Giving from our
hearts, this is what God wants from us. I am grateful for
the kindness shown by all who donated so that another
family enjoys a wonderful Christmas.” 

34 35
Holly Jolly
Christmas in
Europe: Instilling
hope amidst
adversity
Adv Moses Pinto
The writer is a Doctoral Researcher working under the Alliance of
European Universities
B
eing a Goan imbibed in the traditions of
Christmas replete with recreations of nativity,
the message of hope has always resonated
through the deeds and observances that I have
engaged in during this season of glorification towards
the birth of Christ.
It is the same hope that continues in the hearts of
Goans, enabling us all to tread through adversities with
the conviction that by the time Christmas arrives, the
serenity surrounding the Christmas merriment would
sum up the year in the most reflective manner.
The Covid pandemic did bring about its gloom
of curtailments in hampering many families and
communities from partaking in the joys of Christmas.
And incidentally, these were the trying times of silence
when the message of hope needed resonance most
critically and in the largest possible magnitude so that
the tradition of celebrating Christmas instructed the
thoughts about better times yet to prevail.
It was during December 2021 that my travel plans
were destined to span across the European continent
36
2023
due to academic obligations which involved my PhD
studies.
As the world was just recovering from the Covid
pandemic, made possible by the administration of
life-saving vaccines and other preventive measures,
travelling across from Goa to Spain with multiple transit
stops in between the itinerary did feel enduring due
to the anxiety associated with being exposed to new
surroundings in the course of international travel.
The start of the winter Semester in Europe usually
being scheduled in the Fall, the transition from Autumn
to Winter does feel surreal on its own, especially from
the viewpoint of a Goan who is used to the hot and humid
climate. Add to that the apprehension that every sniffle
and every sneeze could be the onslaught of something
more serious, and the aftermath of the pandemic still
remained engraved in mind due to the sensationalism
associated with Covid. Attending university in these
circumstances did appear as a challenge and one that
could not be easily shrugged off.
However, the prospective sight of Christmas
decorations and lights being put up by municipal workers
all across Madrid and the surrounding cities helped my
mind to cultivate normalcy which I rediscovered was
the ‘hope’ that I had always felt during Christmas time
37
Holly Jolly
whilst in Goa.
Witnessing the preparations for Christmas in Spain
which had begun quite early on in November 2021, had
instilled a sense of serenity that could only be compared
to the preparations that our own Goans ascribe towards
while designing the traditional nativity grotto.
Covid may have curbed the interactions between
friends and family during its reign all over the world
but I would regard Christmas as the one tradition that
offered composure to December that even though the
fatalities surrounding the pandemic were reported to
be quite significant around the world, it was the hope
towards a better year that ruled the tempo of thoughts
of every person observing the advent calendar.
On the weekends, while visiting lesser-known
cities around Madrid such as Plasencia, Segovia and
the Municipal Communities of San Sebastian de Los
Reyes, Alcobendas, the Christmas spirit was in full gear
with every roundabout and town square being adorned
38
with a decorated coniferous tree. Even the shopping
malls and little businesses were sure to partake in the
Christmas cheer as they installed conspicuous and
intricate decorations inclusive of an artificial three-
-tiered snowman indoors.
But what instilled the greatest confidence within me
was the Christmas wreath hung on the door of every
Church all over Spain. I was impressed to learn that
the wreath together with the circular shape and the
evergreen material make a representation of eternal
life. It was also a representation of faith, as Christians
in Europe often placed a candle on the wreath during
Advent to symbolize the light that Jesus brought into
the world.
How could this gesture not represent ‘hope’? I
thought to myself silently.
Eventually, this year, Europe has gotten over the
pandemic only to find itself as a silent spectator to a
mindless war started by the Russian president against
the Ukrainian people and their sovereignty.
Although the Russian invasion of Ukraine began
on February 24, 2022, the atrocities which a war
carries would be expected to last well into the present
Christmas season, making the possibility of the
Ukrainians celebrating Christmas seem as bleak a
prospect as Russia succeeding in the war.
And while the aggression in Ukraine continues,
without even offering an opportunity to take stock of
the past pandemic and how it altered lifestyles forever,
Europe finds itself bracing for new humanitarian
challenges involving the rehabilitation of thousands of
Ukrainian refugees.
In these turbulent times, the only constant is ‘hope’
and only the Christmas season can instil the same
perseverance in the hearts of the faithful, so that hope
may translate into the belief that faith can bring peace
and eventually Christmas shall serve as the tradition
which brings people together in hope for a better year
ahead.
The adversity surrounding avarice as the root of all
evil shall always persist and human beings shall perish
in untimely ways but the symbolism represented by
the naissance of Christ shall eternally invoke a feeling
of hope that makes light enter our lives through the
tradition of Christmas. 
39
Holly Jolly
Christmas spirit
in Swindon
Goans in Swindon participate in a number
of events to celebrate Christmas
Food bank donations during
Christmas in Swindon.
Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh
Labour Councillor for Central Swindon since 2019, and the
Shadow Cabinet Lead for Community & Culture
Y
ou can take a Goan out of Goa, but never
Goenkarponn out of a Goan at Christmas!
Swindon Goans continue to celebrate
Christmas with the same spirit as they did back
home, and this year, after an undeniably long gap due
to Covid-19 we plan on picking up where we left off and
some more.
This year, The Goan Swindon Association has
planned its annual Christmas Dine & Dance after not
being able to host it since December 2020 due to the
Covid pandemic. The event has been a long-standing
tradition and a success and brings together families and
loved ones all over the UK.
Additionally, within the community itself,
Goan Children’s Choir ‘Rhythmix Group’ singing at volunteers and parents host carol singing competitions,
Christmas Lights Switch in November.
nativity plays and functions to promote the festivities of
Christmas. We have several of our catering businesses
40
Holly Jolly
Charity fundraisers during December for the
homeless in Swindon, with food donated by
the Swindon Goan Community.
create mouth-watering Goan Christmas sweets and
delicacies for sale, the tantalising aromas reminding us
of our childhood memories growing up back home in
Goa.
Especially during the festive period and also within
remits as local ward councillor, I have always been
supportive of creating outreach activities for the
community and the ward I represent.
This year, I was able to place a beautiful 25-foot
tree in the heart of our community with our very own
Goan children (Rhythmix Group) carol singing to the
residents.
Besides this, members of the Swindon Goan
Volunteers & Helping Hearts Group do many outreach
activities for the wider community in Swindon. They
raise funds for the homeless, donate presents to
children with special needs during Christmas, and have
also made many donations to local food banks.
Christmas is truly a wonderful time of the year, it
reminds us of staying humble, and in remembering the
gift of giving is truly the most important thing we can
do for each other at a very special time of the year. 
41
 2023

42 43
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45
 Christmas recipes
with a twist

46
Holly Jolly

Christmas Scones INGREDIENTS

By Chef Jason DeSouza Refined flour – 600 gm
Refined sugar (fine granules) – 6 tbsp
Salt – 1 tsp
Baking powder – 3 tbsp
Unsalted butter (refrigerated) – 120 gm
Fruits soaked in rum – 2 ½ cup
Rum – 5 tbsp
Egg (whisked) – 1 no

METHOD
Into a bowl of refined flour add the
sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix it
well. To this, add butter and rub it into
the flour to create the coarsest of sand
textures. This takes about 5 minutes.
Now add the fruits soaked in rum, mix,
add 5 tbsp of rum, lightly fold and form
a dough, it need not be over worked.
Divide this into 3 parts, form circular
disc about an inch thick and cut into
8 wedges. Place these wedges on a
parchment lined baking tray an inch
apart, give it an egg wash and bake in
a pre-heated oven at 190 degree C for
20 minutes. Golden brown and out of
the oven, slather some melted butter or
raspberry jam over it and enjoy it hot.

48 49
Holly Jolly
Traditional Christmas Cake
By Chef Jason DeSouza
INGREDIENTS
Dry fruits (8-10 varieties) – 775 gm
Salted butter – 125 gm
Dark brown muscovado sugar – 250 gm
Juice of 1 orange
Rind of 1 orange
Strawberry (cut into half) – 250 gm
Dark brown rum – 200 ml
Molasses – 60 ml (optional)
Refined flour (sifted) – 250 gm
Baking powder – 1 tsp
Cinnamon powder – 1 tsp
Clove powder – ½ tsp
Nutmeg – ½ tsp
Eggs (lightly whisked) – 3 no
Edible silver dust for garnishing
50
Holly Jolly
METHOD
Into a hot cast iron pan, melt the butter, when half
done, add the dry fruits and allow it to get absorbed
in the butter. To this, add the muscovado sugar,
gently mix, add the juice and rind of an orange and
the strawberries. Allow everything to macerate with
each other in the heat. (This process mimics the
soaking of the fruits that’s required well in advance)
Now add the rum and loosen out the fruits, that
have stuck together and allow it to come to a subtle
boil. For a darker color, add the molasses, mix well,
allow it to come to a boil and then simmer for 30
minutes. Remove from flame and cool for another
30 minutes. Into a bowl of sifted refined flour,
add baking powder, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg
powder. Mix well. To the cooled fruits add the
whisked eggs and mix it up.
Now add the dry mix in two batches, mix well so
that there is no lump formation and the consistency
is similar to a dense fudge. Place this into a 9”
parchment paper lined inside as well as outside ring
mold spring foam and bake in a pre-heated oven
at 130 degree C for 2 hours. A crack on top of the
cake 2 hours later tells you that its perfectly baked.
Remove the outside lined parchment paper, release
the spring mold, sprinkle about 2 tbsp of rum on top
while still hot and allow to cool.
Sprinkle with some edible silver dust to give it
a sheen. (Christmas fruits used – dates, apricots,
hazelnuts, almonds, pecan, cashew nuts ginger peel,
orange peel, raisins and sultanas.)
51
Holly Jolly

PRAWNS
De-vein the prawns, wash thoroughly and remove
the excess water.
Add salt, set aside.

Prawn Balchao Buns BALCHAO MASALA

By Chef Jose Thomas, Executive Chef, In a bowl, soak the red chillies along with the
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa vinegar, preferably overnight or for half an hour till
they soften. Grind the ginger, garlic, cumin seeds,
cloves, cinnamon and mustard seeds along with the
vinegar soaked chillies. Grind to a fine and smooth
PORTIONS: 4 paste.
INGREDIENTS
200 gms prawns TO MAKE THE PRAWN BALCHAO
Salt to taste In a pan, heat oil, add the onions and cook well, till
2 inch Piece of ginger they are translucent. Once they start browning and
5-10 Cloves of garlic the oil surfaces, add the Balchao masala and cook
1 tspn Cumin seeds well. In a pan, add oil, add the prawns and cook till
12-15 Dried red chillies they are half done. Add the Balchao masala and cook
8-10 Cloves till the prawns are done. Add chopped coriander and
2 inch Piece of cinnamon season with salt and sugar.
1 tspn Mustard seeds
1 cup Toddy vinegar TO MAKE THE BUNS
¾ cup Finely diced onions Activate the yeast by combining the milk with the
2 tbsp. Oil yeast along with the sugar. In a bowl, add the refined
2 tspn Sugar flour and salt. Knead until the dough is soft. Further
add the softened butter and continue kneading.
FOR THE BUNS Cover the dough once kneaded well either with cling
¼ Cup warm milk film or a kitchen towel. Rest the dough for 2 hours in
2tsp sugar a warm and dry place to proof. Once proofed, punch
3 grams active dry yeast the dough to take out the excess air, slightly knead
1 cup refined flour the dough. Divide the dough into equal shaped balls.
½ tsp. salt
2 tbsp. softened butter ASSEMBLY
Take each dough ball and flatten them out on your
palm. Add a table spoon of the prawn Balchao
mixture in the centre and gather the dough to form
a ball. Complete the process with each ball of dough.
Once done, place them evenly on a greased baking
tray. Brush the dough with milk. Cover with cling
film or a kitchen towel and allow the dough to rest
for another 20 minutes. Bake at 180 degrees for 20
minutes. Once the dough comes out, brush the tops
with melted butter.

52 53
Holly Jolly

Serradura with Feni Soaked Cashew Nuts

By Chef Jose Thomas, Executive Chef,
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

METHOD
In a bowl, soak the cashew nuts in Caju Feni, preferably overnight.
In a Stand mixer, add the double cream and whip till soft peaks are
POTIONS: 4 achieved. Gradually add the condensed milk along with the vanilla
INGREDIENTS extract. Once well incorporated, set aside in the refrigerator to set for
½ Tsp. Vanilla extract ten minutes. In a zip lock bag, add the Marie biscuits, crush them till
16 Marie biscuits you achieve a fine powder. Strain the cashew nuts from the Caju Feni
¼ Cup Condensed Milk and set aside.
½ Pint Double Cream
16 Cashew nuts ASSEMBLY
½ Cup Caju Feni In your desired serving dish, add a bottom layer of crushed biscuits,
followed by a layer of the whipped cream mixture. Add half the
amount of soaked cashew nuts. Repeat the process till the serving
dish is filled. Serve cold garnished with a layer of crushed biscuits and
fresh fruit.

54 55
Holly Jolly

Serradura Cheese Cake

By Chef Balaji Srinivasan, Executive Chef,
Cidade de Goa – IHCL SeleQtions

INGREDIENTS
20 gms Cream Cheese
50 gms. Milkmaid
200 gms. Whipping Cream
6 gms. Agar Agar / Veg Gelatin Powder
50 ml Milk Amul Taaza (Tetra Pack)
0.05 kg Marie Biscuit
1 gm salt
3 gms. Raspberry Coulis

METHOD
In a bowl, add the cream cheese, Milkmaid and
whipping cream and whisk well till it is smooth.
Add the milk and whisk slowly. Add the Agar Agar,
Salt and Mix. Crush the Marie Biscuit till it is fine.
Grease a cake tin lightly with butter. Add the biscuit
crumb to the bake. Add the mixture to the same
and tap on the table to ensure that there are no air
bubbles. Set in a fridge for three hours. Remove and
cut into triangles. Top with the Raspberry Coulis.
Serve chilled.

56 57
Holly Jolly
Sweet And Spicy Cranberry Glazed
Meat Balls With Lemon and Maple
Glazed Carrots
By Chef Balaji Srinivasan, Executive Chef,
Cidade de Goa – IHCL SeleQtions.
58
INGREDIENTS
300 Gms Minced Lamb
2 Eggs
0.02 Gms Salt
0.02 Gms Crushed Black pepper
0.1 Gms Chopped onions
0.02 Gms Chopped Garlic
0.02 Gms Chopped Ginger
0.02 Gms Chopped Coriander
0.02 Gms Chopped Spring Onions
FOR THE SAUCE
0.1 Gms Cranberry pulp
0.02 Gms Olive oil
Chopped onions 0.1 Gms
Chopped mushrooms 0.1 Gms
Chopped garlic 0.01 Gms
Salt 0.01 gms
Crushed black pepper 0.01 Gms
FOR THE CARROTS
Carrot Batons 0.1 Gms
Maple Syrup 0.01 Gms
Salt 0.01 Gms
Crushed black pepper 0.01 Gms
lemon juice 0.01 Gms
METHOD
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients for the meat balls and let it refrigerate
for 1 hour. Add the olive oil in a fry pan. Add onions, garlic and sauté.
Add the mushrooms. Saute well. Add the seasoning. Add a dash of
water. Add the cranberry pulp and cook till the sauce is thick. Boil the
carrots with salt. Mix maple syrup, salt seasonings and lemon Juice in a
bowl. Add the boiled carrots to the bowl and mix well.
Heat Water in a Pot. Add a Pinch of salt. Shape the meat balls like
small dumplings. When the water is simmering slowly, add them to the
water. Make sure that the dumplings are fully immersed in the water.
Do not allow the water to Boil. After four minutes, gently turn them in
the water to make sure that they cook evenly. Cook till done.
In a pan, add the sauce heat well. Add the meat balls. Toss well. Serve
with the glazed carrots.
59
 2023

60 61
Holly Jolly

Goan chorizo quiche

By Chef Avinash Mhapsekar, Sous Chef,
Pistachio and Chocolate Doce Taj Resort & Convention Centre, Goa
By Chef Avinash Mhapsekar, Sous Chef,
Taj Resort & Convention Centre, Goa INGREDIENTS
200g Goan chorizo 
50g onion dices
50g potato dices
3 large eggs
100g cream
100g processed cheese, grated
For the pastry
250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
100g cold salted butter, cubed
METHOD
Heat oil in a frying pan and sauté
the onion, keep aside. Deep fry the
diced potato and keep aside. Cook the
chorizo, drain the excess fat, and set
aside to cool.
FOR THE PASTRY:
Put the flour, ½ tsp salt, and the
butter in the bowl and rub until the
mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs.
Gradually add 4-5 tbsp. cold water and
knead until it comes together into a
dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured
surface, and knead gently until smooth.
Wrap the dough and chill for at least 10
minutes. 

Heat the oven to 180'C. Roll the chilled

INGREDIENTS
250 grams chana dal (split Bengal gram)
200 grams desiccated coconut, refer notes
450 grams granulated sugar, refer notes
1/2 tsp green cardamom powder
1.5 tbsp ghee,  Let it come to room temperature. Grind the dal to a smooth
1 tsp salt
100 grams milk chocolate for coating
50 gram sliced pistachio
pastry out on a floured work surface to
the thickness of 4-5 mm, put it into a
INSTRUCTIONS greased tart tin, and trim away the extra
Rinse and soak the chana dal in sufficient water for about 3-4 pastry using a knife. Prick the base all
hours. Discard the water. Pressure cook the dal with about over with a fork, line it with parchment
2 cups water and salt until tender. Once the pressure settles paper and fill with dry beans. Put the
down, open the lid, and discard any excess water if present. tart in the pre-heated oven and bake for
15 minutes. Remove the parchment and
paste, without adding any water. beans, and then bake for 15 minutes
Next, grind the desiccated coconut fine. In a heavy-bottomed, more, until golden and crisp. Now
dry pot, add the chana dal paste, ground coconut, and sugar. whisk the eggs and cream together,
Keep stirring continuously for about 15 minutes on medium and then stir in the cheese and cooled
heat. Now add the ghee and cardamom powder, reduce the chorizo, onion and fried potatoes. Pour
heat to low, continue until the mixture leaves the sides of the into the pastry case and bake for 25-30
pan and almost comes together like a soft dough. Make small minutes until the filling is just set.
round balls of 25grams each like hand rolled truffles, dip it in Leave to cool in the tin, then remove
the tempered milk chocolate and coat it with sliced pistachio. from the tin and slice.

62 63
Holly Jolly

Chicken Cafreal Galantine INGREDIENTS
FOR GALANTINE
with Fenny Glazed Vegetables, 1.2 kg Chicken whole with skin
FOR THE CHICKEN CAFREAL MARINATION internal temperature of 72˚C. Allow to rest and later
Blend the coriander and mint leaves along with the
other whole spices to a smooth and fine paste ONLY
slice into individual portions.

Kartcondga (Goan Root Potatoes) 0.01 kg Salt

Chef Sandip Madkaikar and Chef Sebastian Breitinger,
V M Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality
Education (VMSIIHE)
0.03 kg Pepper
0.2 kg Chicken Breast Boneless
0.1 kg Fresh Cream
0.06 kg White wine
0.05 kg Bell pepper Red
0.05 kg Bell pepper Yellow
FOR CAFFREAL MASALA
0.1 kg Coriander leaves
0.005 kg Green Chilly
0.05 kg Mint leaves
0.03 kg Ginger
0.03 kg Garlic
0.005 kg Cumin seeds
0.002 kg Cinnamon
0.03 kg Black peppercorns
0.4 kg Toddy vinegar
0.005 kg Turmeric powder
0.15 litre Tomato ketchup
0.06 litre Bancal sauce
using toddy vinegar. Combine the thick paste with
Bancal sauce and Tomato ketchup.
FOR THE GALANTINE
De-bone the entire chicken with the skin intact and
lay ii flat with skin side down. Prepare a chicken
Cafreal Mousse by Blendig the chicken breast
with caffreal masala, seasonings, white wine and
fresh cream. Add finely chopped bell peppers to
the mousse. Place the mousse in the centre of the
deboned chicken and shape into a cylinder to get a
galatine. Truss the galantine with a kitchen twine to
secure the shape. Roast the galantine in a preheated
oven at 180˚C for 40 minutes or until you reach an
FOR GLAZED VEGETABLES
Blanch the vegetables until aldente. Prepare a glaze
with honey, ginger juice, Fenny and Butter. Toss the
vegetables in the glaze and serve.
FOR KARTCONGDA
Boil the kartcongda with the skin in salted water. Peel
the kartcongda once cooled. Prepare a tempering with
coconut oil, mustard seeds, asafoetida, chana dal and
curry leaves. Toss the kartcongda in the tempering
and season with salt. Prepare a sweet potato crisp and
assemble the entire dish on a platter. Also prepare a
cafreal sauce and serve as an accompanying sauce.

FOR GLAZED VEGETABLES

0.15 kg Carrots
0.15 kg Mushrooms
0.15 kg Baby corn
0.15 kg French beans
0.05 litre Fenny
0.075 litre Honey
0.03 litre Ginger Juice
0.1 kg Butter

FOR KARTCONDGA
0.5 kg Kartcondga (Goan Root Potatoes)
0.1 kg Sweet potatoes
0.005 kg Mustard seeds
0.005 kg Curry Leaves
0.01 kg Chana dal
0.005 kg Asafoetida
0.05 litre Coconut oil

64 65
Holly Jolly

Goan Sausage Risotto With Potato

Crisp & Fermented Cabbage METHOD
Chef Sandip Madkaikar and Chef Sebastian Breitinger, Peel and chop the onions finely.
V M Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE) Sweat them in a little butter until
transparent. Add sausages without
skin and roughly chop and sauté until
some fat renders. Add the rice and
sweat a bit more. Add the wine and
continue stirring until consumed.
Apart bring the stock to boil. Always
INGREDIENTS add little liquid and continue stirring
FOR THE RISOTTO until consumed and then add more
500 g Goan Rice liquid until the rice is aldente. Finally
200 g Onions add butter and cheese and serve
200 g Goan Sausage immediately.
60 ml Port wine
800 ml Stock POTATO CRISP
50 g Butter Wash and peel the potatoes and boil
100 g Parmesan cheese them until soft in water without salt.
10 g Salt Pass through the potato masher and
add salt and pepper. On a baking
POTATO CRISP paper, put some of the mixture, fold
500 g Potato other paper on top and extend with
2 g Salt rolling pin as fine as possible. Put on
1 g Pepper a baking tray and put another tray
on top. Bake at 70°C during 4 hours.
FERMENTED CABBAGE Remove the paper. Fry in oil between
1 kg White cabbage 110-130° till transparent. Dry on
15 g Salt paper.
200 g Onion
10 g Shahi jeera FERMENTED CABBAGE
Cut cabbage in fine stripes and add
15g of salt per kg. Mix well and then
place in an earthen pot in layers,
pressing it down with force. Cover
with some cabbage leaves and leave at
room temperature for 2-3 days. Then
keep in refrigerator for another 4-6
days. Cut onions in julienne and sauté
them in little oil. Add jeera and then
the fermented cabbage.

66 67
Holly Jolly

Plum cake INGREDIENTS

450gm Butter
by Chef Selvaraj Marimuthu, 500gm Brown sugar
Executive Pastry Chef at The St. Regis Goa Resort 12nos Egg
20gm Baking powder
1500gm Soaked fruits
25gm Mix spice
350gm Flour
50gm Cocoa powder
50gm Oil

METHOD
Cream the butter and sugar. Slowly add the eggs
one by one. Then add the soaked fruits, flour
and baking powder and mix it together till it is
well combined. Mix the cocoa powder and oil
together and save it for later. Add the flour fruit
mix and the cocoa and oil mix to the creaming.
Divide the batter in molds and bake at 180
degrees for 25-30min. Once the cake is baked,
baste it with clarified butter.

68 69
Holly Jolly Holly Jolly

Translating
the true
spirit of
Christmas
into deeds
Understanding the true meaning of
Christmas, a true blue Goan Cynthia
Rego conveys it to those around her
by reminding them that it’s time to
give back. With sharing and caring
as the basic principles of the festival,
Goans are all set to celebrate the
season and welcome the New Year
Cynthia Rego kulkuls, neuroes, bebinca, plum cake,baathk, the list
Post-graduate in philosophy, retired Programme Executive at All was endless. Oh what joy! I loved the marzipans my
India Radio in Panaji
father bought from Confetaria 31 De Janeiro. Ah a treat
for my sweet tooth! Christmas lunch was a grand affair,

T
he world celebrates Christmas in many ways, as
per the traditions of their country. The pleasure
of decorating the Christmas tree with buntings,
putting up the star, lighting up your house with
colourful lights, decorating it with beautiful curtains,
hollies, swags is very satisfying. I grew up on Divar
island and would get excited as Christmas drew near.
My mother would prepare traditional Christmas sweets
chicken xacuti, pork asado, sorpotel,feijoada, pulao,
sannas adorned the table. It was a day well spent. Till
today, on Christmas day I always spend my time with
my family and thank God for his endless blessings.
In the days gone by everyone prepared their sweets
at home with the neighbours helping each other and
some do so even now. There are others who prefer to buy
readymade sweets from shops where there is a variety of
Christmas sweets available. That’s food for the stomach.

70 71
Holly Jolly
Now here’s some food for thought. All year round we
focus on ourselves but Christmas time is the time to turn
our attention to the forgotten, under privileged, the
poor and the needy. For me the true spirit of Christmas
is extending a hand to bring joy and happiness in their
lives too. That is the true essence of celebrating the birth
of Jesus who came into this world as good tidings and
died on the cross to save us from eternal damnation.
We have been privileged to have a loving family, an
opportunity to share plentiful food, a lucrative job and
the grace to enjoy the pleasures of the world, sharing
it with the poor and seeing a smile on their faces,
wouldn’t it be worthwhile? Spending time with elderly
persons, helping them conquer the feeling of loneliness,
sharing a moment of happiness would be another act
72
of kindness. Visiting old aged homes, orphanages
and spending time with them by going in groups and
singing carols, distributing gifts and Christmas sweets is
definitely satisfying to the soul. This exercise when done
along with your children can be a learning process for
them to inculcate the right spirit of Christmas.
I miss the joy of sending cards to family and friends
which brought a personal touch to relationships. Today
social media platforms are used extensively, but this
new invasion has severely altered relationships. No
doubt it is an undeniable force driving modern society
which is being widely used to spread Christmas tidings,
but a handwritten card from friends would be priceless.
While working at the All India Radio in Panaji, I have
had the privilege to record the annual Christmas message
of Archbishop of Goa and Daman, His Eminence Rev
Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao for many years which was
broadcast on the eve of Christmas and also produced
various Christmas programmes to spread the message of
Christmas for Goa and Maharashtra.
As a preparation before Christmas every Catholic
does a deep soul search to cleanse themselves through
the act of reconciliation to receive Jesus in the true spirit
of Christmas. As Pope Francis said, “God never gives
someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If He
gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have
the ability to understand and receive it.”
May the true spirit of Christmas fill our hearts with
love, joy and peace always! Merry Christmas! 
73
Holly Jolly
Global
Goenkars sing
‘Angels we have
heard on high’
together!
With 150 plus albums and
over 4000 videos, the
musical journey of Jazz
Goa and its founder
Colin D’Cruz is one of
a kind! A globe trotter,
this singer tried to read
the pulse of every Goan
living far away from his land
and through music, stitch
their hearts together in a
Carol that’s gonna the beat
of this Christmas season...
74
Holly Jolly
Colin D’Cruz
Singer, music maker and founder of Jazz Goa
G
oans are a global community. I have met Goans in
almost every country I travelled to. There was one
thing common about all these Goans living around
the world and that is their love for Goa. They may be
living far away from Goa but their hearts remain in Goa.
I decided to bring all these Goans together in song. It was
around Christmas time that this idea came to me so I
chose a Christmas Carol 'Angels we have heard on high'.
I chose three lead voices for the three verses, my wife
Diana D'Cruz, Sonia Shirsat and Lulu Fortes. I then went
about inviting absolute amateur to complete professional
singers from all over the world to join in the chorus. The
response was overwhelming from an eight-year-old Anaya
Hadfadkar to 80-year-old Canada based Tony D’Souza
pitching into the chorus that ended in a grand crescendo of
over a hundred voices! What really touched me was Goans
from all religions also joined in whole-heartedly including
well known Bollywood singers Akshada Talaulikar and
Rupa Rao. Here’s the track of ‘Angels we have heard on
high’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI-W6tf2L5M
Christmas Carols ring in the Christmas spirit. It is
amazing how the whole world joins in to celebrate this
joyful time of the year. I am jazz bass player first and
then a music producer and a talent scout who is actually
been working on global projects in the past, thanks to
the internet. It started with 'Jazz Goa's global recording
project' where I chose a jazz standard called 'straight no
chaser' and then laid down the basic track and invited
musicians from all over the world to solo on the song. It
went on to become the only jazz standard in the world
featuring twenty five soloists so far and the track is still
open to new additions. Here’s the track https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=mu-mDzpsBLY
75
Holly Jolly
Coming together
for a cause!
Christmas is more of a family time,
be at a family get-together or a
party. It’s like a fellowship thing.
I sang for Jazz Goa, which was a
project done with so many singers
coming together for one cause –
good health, peace and harmony.
— Lulu Fortes,
noted Goan singer
Jazz Goa's Global Recording Project is a platform
where musicians from all over the world come together
on one track. I have worked on creating an App to bring
Christmas music, especially Carols, together. I realised
Christmas Carols are enjoyed all over the world around
Christmas time but there wasn't a single music app
featuring them. The Jazz Goa App is the first western
music app out of India and i decided to include a section
of only Christmas Carols that would go online every
year in the month of December. The app is available as
a free download at www.jazzgoa.com.
Ask me if it was difficult to coordinate with singers
across the globe and bring them together, stitch in one
single musical thread and present to the world and I
would say, it actually wasn't difficult finding participants
as social media posts brought in huge response. The real
difficult part was short-listing the entries that would
76
Lovely collection
of carols!
I have been associated with Colin
ever since he shifted to Goa. And
the Christmas Album is one of
the projects we did together. It’s
a lovely collection of carols by a
group of great talent from Goa.
— Sonia Shirsat,
noted Goan singer
work, then editing them into the project and finally
mixing and mastering close to two hundred tracks.
Having spent over four decades playing music in Goa,
across India and around the world, I have, at 63, arrived
at the curtain call of my career and think that it is time
to give back to music. My recording studio in Sangolda is
open, free of cost to any artiste beginner or professional.
Besides recording, both audio and video, my band Jazz
Goa also promotes these artistes. Our journey so far is
over 150 albums and over 4000 videos, both available
on www.jazzgoa.bandcamp.com and www.youtube.
com/user/jazzgoa/videos
I plan on initiating a scholarship plan for deserving
youngsters in Goa wanting to study music at the
True School of Music that just set up base in Goa and
currently, my band Jazz Junction is on a year-long
residency at the Claridges Hotel in New Delhi. 
B. S. CHANNABASAPPA & SONS Tilakawadi, Belagavi.
77
Holly Jolly Holly Jolly

Stars: Lot of people do charity, they offer food,

gifts, clothes, medicines to old age homes,

‘Spending orphanages but why keep these acts of

kindness restricted only to be done during the
festivals? Why not embrace this idea for life
Time And and be kind every single day? Lushan Sequeira
Fernandes adopted this thought and thus STARS

Reaping Smiles’ was born…

all the year

round!

78 79
Holly Jolly
Lushan Sequeira Fernandes
Founder & chairperson of STARS, a former cabin
crew/air hostess

I
t’s been nine years that our team of STARS (Spending
Time And Reaping Smiles) has been spreading smiles
on the faces of the less-fortunate-ones, the elderly,
the sick and ailing, the marginalised and lonely
people, especially the abandoned section of the society.
The concept of giving and sharing was always a
prominent part of life in my family and carrying
this dominant gene was but natural for me.
‘Giving back to society’ was a noble act
carried forward wherever I was – in
my profession or at home or in the
neighbourhood. I continued doing it
in my own small way.
As my parents always encouraged
giving, it was an urge that flowed
in me from my childhood. It was
an amazing feeling, to give back,
spend time with the elderly,
homeless and lonely and to see
the smiles on their wrinkled
faces. They felt wanted, loved.
The idea of giving attention to
someone who really needs it stuck
with me. And I thought why only
during Christmas or other festivals?
Why not do it the whole year round?
Life took its own course. I grew
up, started working, got married, had
a family, and kids. But the urge of giving
back to society did not die or dry. One
day it popped up so strongly that I couldn’t
stop putting it into action. That day I shared this
long-cherished dream concept with my mother and
two like-minded close friends, who instantly agreed to
be a part of this vision and mission.
It was this idea that why these acts of charity
It was July 13, 2013 when STARS was born carrying
a vision to offer respect, dignity, and opportunity to
every underprivileged person, especially marginalized
children and the handicapped. Since then STARS kept
growing. With time, it has grown bigger, relentlessly

80 81
Holly Jolly Wishina all A Merry Christmas & Happy New year 2023
working with volunteers across Goa. During the past her. With this boost she took the leap, and won Gold With Best Compliments from
eight years we have completed over 400 visits, events and Silver in Table Tennis for India. Sabita is in need of
with homes for orphans, aged, special children, destitute a job now to be financially independent. We pray she
women, single mothers and persons affected by HIV. gets it soon!
STARS could touch and transform countless lives. Our non-profit organization believes in connecting
We visit four shelter homes every month. During like-minded people in order to give back to society
the pandemic, we couldn’t continue our visits due to in multiple ways. Spending quality time with the
restrictions on mobility. For one-and-a-half years, from less-privileged ones and developing long-term
March 2020 to July 2022 we focussed on other areas. relationships with them, STARS team indulges into
People had lost jobs, had no food on their activities to inspire and brighten the spirits
platter. So we provided food hampers of those they assist, with a focus on
to families. Education took a hit, creating a sense of belonging.
so that was another area They must feel wanted, loved
where we tried to pitch and cared. Our regular Only exclusive
in. Our interaction with visits enhance this showroom
the underprivileged feeling in them. They for kids in
people continued look forward to our
and we offered visits. And we Belgaum City
e d u c a t i o n always leave with
s u p p l i e s , a promise, we Shop No.9, Adarsha Arcade 1708, &
notebooks and will visit soon. Br.: @No.1708-A/2/B, Shop No.3, Ramdev Galli, Belagavi - 02. Phone: 0831-2403640
stationary to It’s the feeling,
families that the emotion
couldn’t afford that reflects
to buy it. We paid in the eyes
their fees too. Girls of the elderly,
were part of our ailing and special
education policy persons who seem
and we continued to wonder and
paying their fees. ponder, ‘Har mulakat
We have some ka anjaam judai kyun
heart-warming success hai, ab to har vakt yahi
stories to share. One of the baat satati hai hamei... (The
girls we assisted completed her thought keeps us wondering all the
engineering college and now has a job in time, why every visit should end with a
an IT company at Bengaluru. Another girl got a job separation...why not meet for eternity?)’
in the hospitality sector and the third, after completing That’s the reason why we keep visiting the same set
her nursing course, now has a job in a hospital. Let me of homes month after month as these inmates wait for
share about this special girl Sabita Yadav, a teenager us, they long to meet us. The thought that STARS will
who participated in the Special Olympics World visit them keeps them going through their hardships
Games-2019 in Abu Dhabi. She had backing from the and suffering. Lighting up their hearts, STARS is that
Special Olympic team but needed additional support in hope that brightens up their day. We need to kindle
the form of equipment and special coaching, so STARS
mediated. We arranged a specialised trainer to give her
a special edge in performance. We morally supported
and instill in our GenNext, this thought of giving time
to hold a hand of some needy and be the shining STARS
in many shattered lives. 
HANUMAN WATCH COMPANY
82 83
Holly Jolly
HOW
BEAUTY &
CHARITY GO
KNITTING IN
CHRISTMAS
DÉCOR!
With mastery in lace knitting art,
this down-to-earth artist from
Goa voluntarily gifts and donates
her knit artwork to charity, while
living the spirit of Christmas,
not only during the season
but all year round. Sharing her
mesmerising journey in Ajour, as
this art is called in Europe, Reena
Bino speaks her heart out on
how her works have transcended
boundaries, reached beyond
seven seas and won appreciation
on a global platform
84
Holly Jolly
Reena Bino
Lace knitting artist from Goa, founder of ‘Nivita Knits’,
editor of a kitting book 'Knitting ABC'
L
ace knitting! In Europe, this technique is called
Ajour (5 needles knitting). It is also known as
Orenburg lace knit and comes from Russia. I learnt
this art of knitting from my mother Maya Naik at
the age of eight, and since then it has been a continuous
journey of learning new stitches, trying new things and
writing new patterns. The clicking sound of stainless
steel needles has a complete healing effect on me. It is
therapeutic, addictive and calming.
It was the most memorable moment when I knitted
my first doily handling all five needles together and it
was a perfect lace piece. After dabbling into arts, crafts
and knitting, creating a lot of handmade products,
I had taken part in online contests where my work
was appreciated, but there was no particular platform
where I could showcase my work. ‘Nivita Knits’ was
launched to showcase my knitting art to the world and
connect with other creative people. The word ‘Nivita’
connotes creative. Having left my job in 2017, I began
dedicating my time to my hobby which has become my
passion and profession.
My current product portfolio includes hand-knitted
doilies (table mats), doily baskets for table décor,
wedding decor, lace earrings, wall décor, dream
catchers, appliqués for dresses, baby booties,
lace-knitted barefoot sandals. The Christmas décor that
85
Holly Jolly
I create are 3D bells, angels, baubles, buntings, stars,
snowflakes and much more! My brand has the most
exclusive, unique and intricate hand-knitted home
décor, Christmas decor and accessories.
I love all arts and various types of crafts. It is through
this interest that I learnt various forms of craft like
flower making, candle making, clay modelling, glass
painting, aluminium embossing and fabric painting.
Having mastered various arts, I love to share these
beautiful pieces with others as gifts. Though a lot of
effort goes into the artwork, I feel satisfied when my
handwork is appreciated and people take it to raise
donations for charity. I don’t charge them.
As a part of a social cause, I have donated my work
for resale and personal use to ‘Mahesh Foundation’ in
Belagavi. In Goa, I have gifted it to ‘Welfare for Animals’
and ‘Matruchaya’ apart from old age homes, children’s
86
orphanages etc. This year the intricate knitted items in
Christmas colours will be donated to an old age home.
However little it may seem to be, gifting or donating
DOWNLOAD
PRUDENT PLUS
is an art all of us must learn. Knitting happiness into
the lives of the less privileged offers joy and the utmost
satisfaction that nothing on earth can bring. These little
deeds take you to newer heights, to bigger worlds. I
have experienced this in life.
I remember, how my knitting work got a complete
makeover and walked the ramp for Wendell Rodricks’
last Memoir in Fashion on February 22, 2020,
for Blender’s Pride Fashion Tour (15th edition) in
collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India.
What a proud moment it was. Wendell liked the fine
lace work and the 3D bells. The biggest compliment I
ever received for my work was from this great Goan
fashion designer. The ‘Ambeanni’ Collection, Wendell’s
last memoir in fashion is an extremely special collective
of the late pioneering designer’s resort style.
I keep innovating. I have written 250 plus lace
patterns for different products. All my lace products are
hand knitted by me with a set of five to eight double-
-pointed needles with cotton thread. Each pattern has its
persona, creativity at its best and an identity of its own.
I don’t have a store. A one-woman show, writing the
patterns, designing, knitting, packaging and handling
the social media handles, everything is done by me, not
to boast.
Any customization that I do involves effort – writing
the pattern as per clients’ specifications, a lot of math
calculations, casting on and off, changing the needle
gauge and getting it perfect the first time. The most
AND
challenging pattern to date was the lace knitted earrings
which were 16 inches in length in the shape of a leaf
READ
done for ‘The ‘Ambeanni’ Collection for Wendell. The
second most challenging was the 2 ft size doilies knitted
to match the colours and designs of the 7 Chakras.
ON YOUR MOBILE
To date, my lace work has travelled to clients in
FREE
India, Finland, Kuwait, Dubai, the UK, the US, Thailand,
Bangkok and Australia and has also been featured by the
Lace Museum in California. And the most precious of all To install the app, scan the
is the appreciation and compliments I get for my lace above QR code or follow
knitting from handmade lovers from different countries
this the below link
https://play.google.com/
which keeps me motivated to keep trying new things. store/apps/details?id=in.
At ‘Nivita Knits’, beauty and charity go hand in hand!  PrudentMedia
87
Holly Jolly Holly Jolly

In Germany,
Mrinal Shinde
Works as a Development Engineer for 5G at Rohde
& Schwarz, Munich, Germany

expats celebrated
I
have celebrated five Christmas seasons outside India,

Christmas with
since 2018. I love Christmas time in Europe in general.
There are several traditions. I always have an advent
calendar – which means, you have 24 gifts and you

other expats!
open every day one gift, starting from December 1 until
Christmas eve. So basically, you do a countdown until
Christmas.
In November, one sees all stores selling advent
calendars. You can buy a chocolate advent calendar
where you open a new chocolate every day.
Celebrating the Last year, I purchased an advent calendar from rituals
fifth Christmas in and this year from Rocher. They are cosmetic brands,
Christmas party at my place every year. I invite a lot
of my friends and decorate the house with candles,
a Christmas tree and other décor. On December 24,
I usually have the party and we have mulled wine
together and play nice Christmasy songs, and have a
huge dinner spread. We bake cookies and decorate
them together. We also share gifts on Christmas eve.

Europe, a Goan and every day you get something new - a cream, scent,
facewash, lipstick etc. Usually, for kids, you give the
student Mrinal chocolate advent calendar or also an advent calendar
Shinde shares how which has 24 short story pages. Each day has a story
Germany amazed her of Christmas and then on the 24th day is the final
Christmas story.
in many ways – the Big families also make homemade calendars,
people, the food, sometimes in socks, and label 1 to 24, putting a small
the quiet weekends, gift for each day in it. One can buy all brands… socks,
muesli, spices, wine, beer, literally anything. All shops
the Christmas Street sell it.
markets, advent In Germany, Christmas is a family event. Usually, the
calendars, rituals, fun whole family meets and spends time together. And no
outsiders are invited. It's more private. Expats like me
and excitement... celebrate Christmas with other expats. I usually hold a
The atmosphere before Christmas is full of excitement
– décor and lighting of the streets, Christmas markets
full of mulled wine. Since it's cold outside, everyone
grabs mulled wine (warm wine with spices). The whole
market and place smell of Christmas (spices warm wine,
sweet and spices hot nuts, trees). Every city has several
Christmas markets, kids can have some rides there.
Adults usually have wine and kids have kinder punch
(a non-alcohol drink like a mix of juices). Everyone eats
nice hot food like salmon, fries, and sweets like churros
and lebkuchen (soft ginger biscuits). Christmas markets
usually start on November 20 and stay until December
22-24. After that, it's the holiday period and people visit
their families to celebrate Christmas together.
Then here we count four advent Sundays. First

88 89
Holly Jolly
Sunday this year was November 27. We lit one candle
that day. Then next Sunday we light two candles, three
on the third and four on the last Sunday. We either buy
the candles or decorate ourselves.
On December 6, we celebrate St Nikolas. This also is
a very important day in Christmas. We have St Nikolas
chocolates all around and he plays an important role
during Christmas.
We celebrate Krampus too. It is a devil, and they have
a parade all over the city chasing people. The parents
tell the kids, who did not behave well this year, that the
Krampus has come to punish them.
Munich has over 35 big and small Christmas markets
90
all over the city. But during Covid, Christmas markets
were not set up in Munich but other smaller towns and
cities still had them. I visited a lovely Christmas market
also in Strasbourg, France which is known for being the
most beautiful Christmas market in Europe. The decor
is lovely. They are famous for their teddy bear decor
on buildings. Although there was Covid, we could still
celebrate with our friends at home. Some places also
sold gluhwein and we also had it outdoors.
At my place during Christmas, I have a raclette party.
It has several compartments and pans, and each person
can cook their meal. I keep different types of raclette
cheese, chicken, prawns, potatoes, veggies etc ready
and you can add it to your pan and let the cheese melt
and then eat it. It is usually a New Year’s tradition, but I
do it even on Christmas.
We also have fondue at my place. We can have it with
cheese or chocolate, but I usually have it with chocolate.
Christmas usually starts here on the first advent Sunday
and ends on January 6 as its Three Kings Feast which
is a public holiday. All lights and decor are removed at
that time.
There are quite a lot of differences in Christmas
celebrations between Goa and Europe. Goa does not
have Christmas markets or mulled wine culture. Nor
have I seen advent calendars in Goa. Nor have I heard
about four advent Sundays.
In Europe, everyone usually uses a real Christmas
tree and places real candles on them. Some put fake
ones, but I have never seen this in Goa. In Goa, we have
cribs everywhere and it is not common here. People
do have small cribs at home but nothing huge for the
public to visit and see. Instead, people visit Christmas
markets. Since you have a real Christmas tree at home,
your home smells very Christmasy and nice. People
usually go to a place or forest to look for a real tree and
cut it and bring it home. It is also a family event. I have
never bought a real tree because I own a cat. My cat
destroys even my artificial tree. So, I do not want to risk
having a real one (tree).
I have not visited a mass here. And it is not very
common either. I don’t know anyone who visits. Also,
about charity, never heard or seen anything. One more
major difference in Europe is that the kids get gifts from
baby Jesus and not from Santa. We call him Christkind.
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Holly Jolly Holly Jolly
Marius Fernandes sell it in the shop. Christmas

Christmas celebrations Cultural activist, Goencho Festakar, initiated

57 village fests in the last 20 years
day was a celebration of
the best of Goan foods,
sweets, wine and listening

in three continents Scene 1 - Africa (Kenya- Larre) in

the Early 60s
Let me begin this nostalgic journey
of my Goan forefathers that travelled
to places in search of better living,
then settling in Africa and Europe but
always carrying a slice of ‘Goi’ with
them wherever they lived with a
Bernard and
longing in their hearts to come back to Antonetta
the land of their origin. I thought the Fernandes in
Kenya (parents).
circle has just come to its full, after I
returned to Goa with my family 22
years ago, in 2000 to give back to my
home state what I earned and learned abroad, however,
the journey is still on, with my daughter Gemma in
England and son Ashley in India...
As long as I can remember as a child, we always
celebrated Christmas in my grandparents’ home in Larre
Kenya. As we are Goans by origin, we carried Goa with us
across the globe. Christmas preparations began around
mid-December when my father late Bernard Fernandes
and my now-90-year-old mother Antonette Fernandes
would start decorating our house and the small shop they
Marius owned. I remember them vividly preparing mud to sow
Fernandes wheat that would grow big enough around Christmas
with mother
Antonette, day and placing small statues of the Holy family along
children with sheep, shepherds and the three kings. These were
Ashley and
Gemma in St the early days of independent Kenya in the early 60s and
Mathias Divar there were many missionaries from Belgium and Italy
working in the interiors. Arranging Christmas in deep
Kenya required a lot of hard work and initiative. Our
family elders made sure that come Christmas night, the
to Christmas carols on the
only radio station available
on the set. Those were the
days of no Santa Claus and
no gifts, no Christmas cards,
but celebrating Christmas
as it should be exchanging
food and sweets with our
neighbours, friends and dear
ones. My late grandfather
Mathias Xavier Fernandes
was an expert baker and
along with the family, used
to prepare Christmas sweets in Goa known as
‘Kuswar’. As Christmas neared, the tree was in place, the
crib was ready and the food was on the table. Along with
a small Goan community, Christmas was celebrated in
a small chapel built by my mother with funds collected
while she was running her shop. In those early days of
independent Kenya, there was no gas, no electricity, no
roads and very little transportation. Despite all that, my
grandparents and parents made it happen so that we
kids should not miss out on Christmas of Goa.
Scene 2 – Europe - England- Leicester in the mid-70s
The UK became our next stop in life with big
departmental stores, boutiques and with large windows
decorated with Santa Claus and deers. You could find
any item of food product necessary for Christmas
celebrations. By now, my late dad and my now
90-year-young mother Antonette Fernandes had six
siblings, all getting ready to celebrate Christmas, the

Sharing memories of the continental celebrations of
Christmas by his family originating from St Mathias, Divar
Island and migrating from Asia to Africa and Europe their
fourth generation representative living in Goa, Global
Goenkar Marius Fernandes, takes us on a nostalgic
journey down memory lane...
feeling of Christmas would be around the house. Living
far away from Nairobi (the capital of Kenya), my parents
had to travel a very long distance to procure goodies for
Christmas night. On Christmas eve, grandma’s cooking
used to waft the air with aromas of spices, cakes, and
freshly baked bread, and that had no match and equal
in the entire region. Mother used to work in the shop
stitching clothes and along with my late grandmother
Maria Emilia Fernandes, used to prepare food and also
European style. We got gifts for everyone. My parents
prepared Christmas dinner and attended midnight
mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Leicester. The
congregation were mainly Catholics from Poland,
Ireland and East African Goans. The Goans sang in the
choir and also sang Christmas carols for the midnight
mass. Usually, during Christmas week, the streets were
full of snow and visibility was low with some street
lights illuminating the nights. Back home after mass, by

92 93
Holly Jolly
tradition, Santa Claus arrived before midnight to deliver
the gifts. Under the Christmas tree were all the presents,
where each one of us opened the gifts from Santa Claus.
We would all sit around the table with smiles on our
faces and our mother would come with a large Christmas
cake made of rum, raisins, nuts and we kids would have
it with coffee and the elders would have it with wine
until about five o’clock in the morning, singing carols in
English and Konkani. Christmas day, being a holiday in
the UK after a late night we kids woke up midday, but
my father, who was a very good cook, would wake up
early and prepare the Christmas
lunch along with my mother.
Our kitchen in Leicester was
wafting with aromas of Goa.
The largest imaginable turkey
was being roasted with a filling
of the best Goan sausages,
olives, potatoes and peas. The
lunch was memorable with
my father slicing the turkey
and sharing with us kids and
wine and drinks flowing. After
lunch, he used to take us to Mathias Xavier Fernandes
(grandmother)
the city centre to meet Rudolf
the Red-nosed reindeer and
Santa Claus sitting under the largest Christmas tree in
the city. Christmas in England over the years has taken
a commercial turn and has more to do with gifts, Santa,
and reindeer except with Christ. Christmas begins as
early as October with streets and shops decorated with
items to lure the people. Disappointingly, Christmas is
over-commercialised and advertisements of Christmas
in Europe don’t have any equals anywhere in the
world. Stores decorated for Christmas, the sounds of
Christmas carols on the street and inside the shopping
mall, coloured lights, gigantic Christmas trees in the city
centres’, and people dressed as Santa standing at street
corners all make a great impression not only on the
adults but particularly on the children. Another aspect
of Christmas in England is countless movies, cartoons
and children’s shows about Christmas, Santa Claus and
the festivities.
Scene 3 – Asia- India – St Mathias, Divar Island, Goa
94
in the Late 90s
Both my children Ashley and Gemma Fernandes were
born in the UK and had sampled a bit of commercial
Christmas and in the year 2000, we moved to Goa.
Christmas began by the second week of December
preparing cribs, and stars made of bamboo to be hung
outside the balcão. Most Goan villages in Catholic
homes have stars hanging in different colours and
shapes. The popular tradition includes exchanging gifts,
decorating the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, sharing
meals with family and friends
and of course waiting for Santa
Claus to come. Usually, after
midnight mass, many villages
have a Christmas ball with
people thronging straight
from the church to the venue.
India’s smallest State Goa
draws huge crowds who come
for this unique Christmas
celebration comprising a
mix of good temperature and
Maria Emilia Fernandes traditional Yuletide festivities.
(grandfather) In the villages, the youth
New Year 2023
would go door-to-door singing
Christmas carols with musical instruments and with the
children we use to join in. During the week, there were
lots of activities organised by St Mathias Sports Club
and church organisations. There were visits to old-age
homes and differently-abled schools. After midnight
mass, there would be a serving of cakes and coffee.
Back home, the Christmas meal was fun with plenty
of sweets. As a tradition, neighbours would share all
sorts of homemade sweets like neureos, perada, pinaca,
batica, marzipan, dodol, bebinca, bolinhas etc. We
loved Christmas in Goa as it brought together families
and we could meet friends from across the world. There
were also crib and star competitions which gave us a
chance to take part and visit our neighbourhood houses
to see different types of cribs. At night, it's a delightful
scene with rows of houses decorated with lights, cribs
and lovely stars. Twenty years later, Christmas is still a
hit in Goa and thankfully still not gone commercial. The
tradition of sending Christmas cards across the globe
still exists and may long it continue. 
95
Holly Jolly
A Christmas
Meditation
Achyut Gopal Das
A monk in ISKCON Goa, author of two books,
teaches Bhagvad Geeta in colleges
E
very festival be it Christmas, Janmashtami
or Diwali should simultaneously be a day of
celebration and a day of contemplation. Christmas
is as much about celebrating the birth of Jesus
Christ as it is about remembering his life, his sacrifices,
and his teachings.
I thought of sharing a few teachings of Jesus Christ
which when contemplated, practised, and applied, can
truly make our lives meaningful.
-- What shall it profit a man, if he gains the whole
world and suffers the loss of his own soul?
-- If God is all you have, you have all you need.
-- The kingdom of God is within your own hearts.
-- Knock and the door shall open, seek and you shall
find.
-- Don't build your treasures in this world - for it
will be stolen by thieves, corroded by rust and rotten
by time.
96
2023
-- If you have faith as much as a mustard seed and
you tell a mountain to move - it will move.
-- The meek and humble inherit the kingdom
of God.
-- Love God with all your heart and soul.
-- Love your neighbours as yourself.
-- Those among you who are sinless can cast
the first stone.
When Srila Prabhupada went
to the West, one reporter asked
him if he had come to America
to convert Christians into Hindus.
Prabhupada answered, “No, I have come to make them
better Christians.” Whatever our religion may be, the
true purpose of every religion is to help us develop our
love for God.
So, on this joyous occasion of Christmas, let us follow
in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and try to mold our lives
in such a way that we can deepen our connection with
God, develop genuine integrity and be an instrument of
God's compassion and love in this world.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas! 
97
Holly Jolly Holly Jolly

Caritas Goa: Spreading

or love-actions for the month. The calendar can be cultural, economic, and political spheres, to enable
displayed on the work desk or hung on the wall. them to engage in micro savings, micro credits and
Also, Caritas has come out with another eco-friendly income generation programmes is one of the crucial

seeds of kindness across

gesture – that of going green. The calendar accompanies tasks that we carry on.
a seed pen that has not only ink, but some seeds too CanSurvive is Goa’s biggest cancer support network.
stored in it. Each pen is loaded with seeds of a particular It is a movement to support those who have cancer.

Goa and the world

plant or vegetable. Once the ink is over, the seeds must
be sown to spread healthy life.
Over the years, Caritas has grown and expanded its
reach to the less fortunate, marginalised, and needy
section of society. Our projects are many. We work on
multiple fronts – from taking care of newborn babies to
Fr Maverick Fernandes sheltering unwed mothers and helping in adoptions. As
Director of Caritas Goa, a social arm of the we have mentioned on our kindness calendar, Caritas
Archdiocese of Goa and Daman
provides unwed mothers with shelter till the delivery.
We house relinquished and abandoned babies as well
as battered women. We reach out to and transform the
During Christmas, we will be visiting them and offering
gifts. Training home nurses and providing nursing
services at home is also one of our fortes. We will be
having a Christmas programme at this school too.
The inclusive nature of our activities leaves no
section of society untouched. We strive to ensure the
safety and security of the migrants by creating a support
system through empowering strategies. Not stopping
at this, Caritas initiates a comprehensive approach for
children and young adults with deaf-blindness, multiple
disabilities, and other multi-sensory impairments to

I
Caritas Goa, a charitable
society of the Archdiocese
of Goa and Daman, strives
to serve the poor, the
needy, the oppressed,
the differently abled,
lives of many women in stressful situations. have access to educational, vocational, extra-curricular
t’s Christmas time, the busiest time of the year, as many events and Empowering women through training in social, and rehabilitation services in Goa.
activities go simultaneously at our various projects, 28 of them across
Goa. The programmes vary, depending upon for whom they are
conducted. For special schools across Goa, a total of nine of them, we
have All Goa Special Schools Carol Singing Competition. At Divya Sadan,
there’s a programme for adults and intellectually disabled persons
where children and senior people participate together. At ASRO in
Tivim, we celebrate the festival with children affected with HIV/AIDS.

people living with HIV/
AIDS, the marginalised
and victims of natural and
man-made calamities.
The kindness calendar of
Caritas Goa runs all year
round. Here’s a glimpse
of how it touches the lives
of over 3000 persons,
kids and adults during the
Christmas season…
At Aldona’s Home Nursing students, there’s a special programme. And
at our Old Goa Centre, we are inviting a Santa Clause for the children.
We also celebrate Christmas in the industrial estates with labourers
and with migrants from the fishing sector. This year the Cardinal will
be visiting the deaf-blind children along with the marginalised section
of the society in the North as well as South Goa.
It was the Diamond Jubilee year for us at Caritas Goa in 2021, as our
institute celebrated 60 years of extending kindness unlimited across
lengths and breadths of Goa. As a remembrance of this memorable
year, Caritas published a special and unique calendar on this occasion
‘Kindness Calendar’ aiming to spread kindness and love from one
person to the other whosoever keeps this calendar on his or her
tabletop. We had printed 10,000 copies of this calendar to distribute
for free and believe me, only a few are remaining.
The calendar is a perpetual one, which has only one month and the
dates but not the year or days of the week. Each month of the calendar
is dedicated to a project of Caritas-Goa. And for each month, four
kind deeds related to that project are proposed as concrete kindness

98
Holly Jolly
To contribute towards this section of society, one can world, but the question remains, who benefits from
organise a social gathering for the deaf-blind or sponsor tourism? We try to promote tourism where people,
nutritional or medical expenses of any such child. culture, and ecology matter. What one can do is join the
Installing audio and braille signages at our workplaces tourism monitoring groups in coastal villages. Taking
and attempting to learn basic sign language is one way a step further, you can book a heritage tour with the
of making them feel wanted and loved. We can make Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT). We can also
our homes and workplaces accessible to persons with patronise family-based local tourism businesses. To
disabilities by building ramps, railings etc. We can safeguard the lives and properties of those around us,
assist such persons to prepare the Disability Certificate, we can become an informer to our local BEAT police
Unique Disability Card (UDID), officer and inform about any
Aadhar card, PAN card etc. wrongdoings we come across in
Divya Sadan is our community
Caritas Goa Projects the tourism or related industry.
home for intellectually disabled Institutional programmes As we all know, Childline is the
adults where the concerns of St Francis Xavier's Centre for the national 24-hour free emergency
their older parents about these Differently Abled (Old Goa), Protection helpline and outreach service
Home for Women (OPM) (Nachinola,
grown-up disabled wards are Specialised Adoption Agency (Nachinola), for children in need of care and
taken care of. Any one of you St Bridget's Institute of Home Nursing protection. If you see a child
can extend a helping hand in this (Aldona), ASRO (Tivim), Divya Sadan in need of care and protection,
(Porvorim), Centre for Deafblind
project. You can make friends (Saligao), Centre for Deafblind (Margao), including forced begging,
with a person with disability Caritas Goa Holiday Home (Panaji), Christ paedophilia, child labour etc, you

2 3
in your neighbourhood, offer the King Physiotherapy (Panaji) can call on this number to inform.

2 0
your time and support, purchase You can be a volunteer for the
Community Services
items prepared by Divya Sadan or Caritas Goa Home Nursing Services Childline-se-Dosti programme. A
volunteer time at a special school (Panaji), Self-Help Groups (South & North visit to a childcare institution or
or a home for persons with Goa), Prison Ministry India (PMI) (Goa), sponsoring a child’s educational
Childline 1098 (Panaji), Caritas Goa Usha
disabilities. We must remember Silai School (Siolim), Railway Childline needs is one way of giving back
that they need empathy more 1098 (Margao), CanSurvive (Panaji), to society.
than sympathy. Action Sattari (Valpoi), We for You Migrant population is also
(V4U) (Panaji), Pravasi Bandhu, Schemes
One of our prime projects for You, Caritas Goa Usha Silai School a part of our society. They give
ASRO provides shelter for (Honda), Nodal Office for Calamities, their sweat to construct roads,
destitute and orphaned children Relief to Needy Individual, Trust for homes, and structures. We must
Nocolau Sobrinho, Mr & Mrs Michael de
infected with HIV/AIDS, enabling ensure the safety and security
Figueiredo Foundation
them to live a quality life through of these migrants, especially the
continual care and support. Any one of you can do your children. We can identify a needy migrant family in
small bit by donating a small sum to help HIV patients our locality and share a meal with them, or sponsor the
to pay off their treatment bills, interacting with them education of their child, buy medicines for them or a
and instilling positivity in them, providing some job or gift as a token of appreciation for their services.
organising a programme to wipe off the HIV stigma. Giving back can come in different ways and forms.
Rehabilitating prisoners through education, skill Visiting a sick person, paying the medical bills,
building and cultural activities, Caritas financially sponsoring fees of a needy person, or encouraging a -: Best Wishes From :-

SUBHASH SHIRODKAR
supports the families of prisoners. We also appeal to drop-out to continue studies.
society to visit families of prisoners, sponsor a prisoner’s At Caritas Goa, we create opportunities and help
child in education, employ a released prisoner or people to outstand, particularly the marginalised section
purchase items prepared by prisoners. of society. We help them grow, by giving a platform and
MINISTER FOR WRD, CO-OPERATION ,PROVEDORIA
Goa is known as a favourite tourist destination of the seeing them grow. 
GOVT. OF GOA
MLA- SIRODA CONSTITUENCY
100 101
Holly Jolly
Capturing the Christmas
spirit in lens...
Festivals come and go. The memories
remain forever. Here’s a true blue
Goan living in Mumbai and offering
tips for those who wish to live the
moment for life by going through the
pages of their family photo albums
102
Salonee Kamat Jain
Indian photographer, trains and mentors photography
enthusiasts across the world
H
oHoHo! Yes, it is that time of the year – when
bells jingle, reindeers dash through the snow,
lights adorn the Christmas tree and the aroma
of cake and bebinca is in the air. It is when
families come together to sing carols, pray together,
unwrap presents, put up decorations and most
importantly, to create memories. What better time to
capture and freeze these memories of life. Here are a
few photography tips for you to put into practice this
Christmas season.
Pick the moments that count - Every family has
a special tradition. Find out what’s yours. In addition
to capturing the general moments like decorating
the Christmas tree, unwrapping gifts, etc. capture
the special tradition in your family. Further, you can
Holly Jolly
capture BTS (Behind The Scenes) too – the time the
family is together while preparing for Christmas such as
Christmas market trips, dinner preparations, bringing
the tree home, signing of cards, the excitement of the
children meeting Santa Claus, etc.
Think of the background - Include the festive
background in your photographs. Try to include the
Christmas tree, the stockings, the pile of gifts, the
red-green cushions on the sofa, etc. When capturing
a portrait, including the environment of the portrait is
important. It tells us a more complete story of what is
happening.
Go candid! - Don’t ask your family to pose for
you. Capture moments as they are. Yes, rules and
technicalities of photography are important. But, what
is most important is emotions. Get that right! Capture
the laughter, love, banter between siblings/cousins,
the peaceful grandparents, mom making sweets, dad
decorating the tree, etc.
Look for detail shots – It is always the details that
103
Holly Jolly
make Christmas special. The smile on your cousin’s face
as she/he opens the present, the tiny bow on top of the
gift, the little sibling with hopeful eyes writing a letter
to Santa asking for his/her choice of gifts, the cherry on
the cake, etc. Little close-up shots such as the wrapping
paper, the decorations, gifts, the festive food and the
smiling faces add flavour and stories to our Christmas
memories!
Add a bokeh effect to your photos - You can create
magic in your photos by blurring the background.
Blurring fairy lights create an amazing bokeh. Bokeh
by definition is the effect caused by out-of-focus light
on the image. If you are using a phone camera, then
capture in portrait mode and use the slider or the f-stop
(depending on the brand/model of the phone) to control
how much blur you want. The more the blur, the more
the bokeh! Do note the subject here is in focus, it is the
background/ foreground that is blurred.
Capture your neighbourhood - Don’t just restrict to
capturing photos of your family. Go out and capture
Christmas Greetings & Best Wishes for a prosperous New Year 2023
3163, Khade Bazar, Belgaum Mob: 9449308908
Club Road, Belgaum Mob: 9482359194, • 3934- 3939
104
memories for your neighbours and friends. Capture the
lighting in the city, the decorated trees, the beautiful
cribs, etc. Let your photographs showcase the feel of
your town/city during Christmas.
And last but not the least, remember that the best
photographs come from you enjoying Christmas, so
have fun and take a lot of photos! Include your family
and friends while capturing photos and also be a part of
their moments of happiness and fervour. 
On the footprint of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ policy, Goa’s
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant announced ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat-Swayampurna Goa’
programme on October 2, 2020 to make the State self-dependent in several sectors and he
initiated di�erent campaigns to make this programme successful. �he �rst phase of this
programme has witnessed incredible success. Looking at this, the government has begun
the implementation of the second phase of the programme.
Successful marching of
‘Swayampurna Goa’
Salient feature of Swayampurna Goa 1.0
8 Toilets for all 8 Electricity for all
8 Tap water connections for all 8 Home for all
8 Gruha Aadhar 8 Benefits of Central Government schemes to the locals
8 Dayanand Samajik Suraksha 8 Deendayal Swasthya Seva Yojana
Achievement in two years
8 More than 24,000 beneficiaries of one or more government schemes
8 2157 Diyanga beneficiaries of wheelchairs, smart cane, hearing aid equipment of Rs 1.72 crore
8 Krishi cards distributed to 1310 farmers
8 601 farmers registered under PM Kisan Yojana
8 Kisan credit cards distributed to 144 farmers
8 337 Mudra Arogya cards ready
8 Krishi cards issued to 78 milk producing farmers, 87 Kisan credit cards
issued to milk producing farmers
8 Kisan credit cards issued to 38 persons in fish farming
8 155 families included under Deendayal Swasthya Seva Yojana
8 784 beneficiaries under Dayanand Samajik Suraksha Yojana
Swayampurna Yuva The goals of ‘Swayampurna Goa 2.0’
8Awareness programmes organised employment opportunities and also to make
employment opportunities available to them 8 Skill development for youth
8Government, semi-government departments and banks also participated in 8 Boost to start-ups
this programme 8 Regular training to self-help groups
8 More than 6500 youth registered under this venture, 60 private companies 8 Cold storages to control wastage in fruit production
offered 1000 plus jobs to youth 8 Encouragement for support price in produce under fruit production
8 Reducing the gap between the training institute and industry
Government at your doorstep 8 Awareness on health related principles
8 To enhance the trust of the local artisans and support them
812 camps organised under this programme across the State 8 Increase in employment opportunities
8More than 40 government departments kept their service counters at one single place 8 Effective waste management
8The prolonged applications of the citizens were answered at the place of appeal 8 Boost to entrepreneurship
Issued by:
Department of nformation and Publicity
Government of Goa
 Wishes you A Merry
CHRISTMAS &
Happy New Year
Christmas is a festival of sharing happiness.
On this joyous occasion I Pray to the Almighty for
prosperity of the people and development of the State.
May the delightful occasion of Christmas infuses
everyone’s life with Happiness,
Positivity & Blessings.
Warmest Greetings on Christmas

Dr. Pramod Sawant

Hon’ble Chief Minister, Goa State