Goa Carnival 2013: Farhan Akhtar to perform at Goa Carnival

Bollywood actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar will swing and sing to the Goa Carnival mood, when the festival week opens up on the streets here next month.

This will be the second time that the star, whose film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, a biopic on India’s greatest male athlete will be released shortly, will be in Goa for a live performance.

His first performance here was a live singing act at the Nokia India Fest 2013, a high profile inter-collegiate competition, which had educational institutions from all across the country participating.

“Farhan has confirmed his presence and will also ride on one of the carnival floats. There will also be singing by Anushka Manchanda, who also resides in Goa. Remo (Fernandes) and Wendell Rodricks will also be a part of the Goa carnival this time. They are Goa’s biggest stars,” a Goa Tourism spokesperson said.

Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar has already confirmed that Bollywood will have a significant presence at the carnival, which begins Feb 8. Among those who are expected to be present are actresses like Neha Dhupia, Isha Koppikar and Tanushree Dutta, he said.

For the week prior to the austere Christian season of Lent, the state celebrates ‘one last shot at having fun’ before the liquor bottles and beef and pork are stacked away as part of a 40-day period of religious penitence.

The event draws tourists from all over the country and the world, and features a package among several tour operators.

Goa’s carnival is similar to the carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and not quite unlike the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans and France. The parades involve the entire populace of the city pouring onto the streets to participate and to watch colourful parades of men and women in costumes and various whacky attires.

Goa’s colourful carnival processions, which are normally held in February before the holy season of Lent, are symbolic of the state’s colonial Portuguese legacy.

SOURCE: NDTV

GBSA’s Wind Surfing Training Camp for youngsters from 1st to 30th April at Goa

 

GBSA’s Wind Surfing Training Camp from 1st to 30th April at Goa 

The Goa Beach Sports Academy (GBSA) in association with the Water & Beach Sports Promotion Forum has announced its annual wind surfing training camp at Dona Paula in Goa from 1^st April to 30^th April 2012. Headed and promoted by national windsurfing champion Donald Coelho, the GBSA will conduct the camp for youngsters in two categories – professional training for those aiming to participate in state or national level wind surfing or allied water sport competitions and amateur training for those who just want to learn the sport of wind surfing for the thrill that it offers. The camp is open to children from 10 years of age to adults of all ages who may just want to “try it out”.

A contest for camp participants both in the professional and amateur category will also be held which will culminate in the grand finale of the camp. The contest will be telecast live on all local TV channels in Goa and also on a couple of national and international channels. An added attraction will be a beach volleyball one-day-trial match and a weekend after party for participants and others, the details of which will be announced shortly.

Says promoter and brain behind the camp Donald Coelho, “Wind Surfing is a very thrilling activity and the purpose of the camp is to encourage children and youth to develop a competitive adventure spirit and introduce them to the world of water sports which is oft neglected in India. We also encourage corporates and philanthropists to come forward to financially support this camp so that it becomes affordable for everyone.”

The GBSA has written to the Tourism Departments of the Government of Goa and the Government of India for their support and stamp of approval on the event. “We are awaiting their reply,” explained Donald Coelho.

About Goa Beach Sports Academy (GBSA)

The Goa Beach Sport Academy has progressed – since its inception in 2008, at a pace which is commendable. Within three years of its existence the Goa Beach Sport Academy headed by National Windsurfing Champion Donald Coelho and assisted by International Surfer Charles Herbert Rodrigues has conducted several windsurfing camps promoting budding talent in the field of Beach Sport activity. The Academy has within its ranks Indian Badminton personality Mr. Anil Madgavkar who is also the pioneer of the Goa Yachting Association. The Academy has trained several youth during various camps that were organized in the field of Beach Sport Activity.

OBJECTIVES

The GBSA strives to promote the unique sport of wind surfing in a social, fun-loving environment. Safety being their first priority; they are well equipped with a rescue team and insurance. Involving local talent in all activity has been their duty and they strive to train participants to achieve greater heights in the field of beach sport activities.  The Club is committed to encouraging highest ethical standards.  To represent the interests of its members in the best way, the GBSA is affiliated with the Yachting Association of India, Goa Yachting Association, Board Sailing Association of India and other similar organizations.