Month: March 2026

Beyond the beaches: Pallavi Arondekar, plus a photo slide show

The poster has a neon yellow background. At centre the headline: Beyond the beaches Below, a subhead: Goa Spotlight: What makes the state tick? Next, the session date: 8 March Below, at centre, the logotype for The Goa Project Sessions, which has the words ‘The Goa Project’ in white text next to a stylised sunset-and-water image, and next to that, the word ‘Sessions’ within a stylised video camera image. In a black strip at the bottom: Once every four weeks on Sundays, 5:30 p.m. IST, online.

This Sunday, 8th March, we turn the spotlight once more to our spiritual home, Goa. And since — serendipitously — it will be International Women’s Day, we are focussing on a particular aspect of the state, women in the workplace. We will hear from someone who has watched Goa transform for women working outside the home, and then switch to a visual treat, a small exhibition of photographs showing women at work in Goa.

To sign up for the session, simply accept this invitation to add it to your calendar. 

(Also, a reminder that we now have a WhatsApp community where you can get updates on our activities as well as chat with other TGPians. You can join it here.) 

Meet our presenters.

On a neon orange background, a faint wave pattern runs down the right side. On top, in a yellow rectangle: Goa Spotlight Below, the headline: A woman’s (work)place Below, a subhead: How Goa has changed for working women Next, the session date: 8 March Next, a circular window with a portrait of the presenter, in black-and-white. Next to that, the presenter’s name: Pallavi Arondekar And below that, a descriptor: Non-profit professional, seeker Below, at centre, the logotype for The Goa Project Sessions, which has the words ‘The Goa Project’ in white text next to a stylised sunset-and-water image, and next to that, the word ‘Sessions’ within a stylised video camera image. In a black strip at the bottom: Once every four weeks on Sundays, 5:30 p.m. IST, online.

Pallavi started her career as a communications professional in Mumbai, before moving to Goa. Since 2009, she has worked for the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the state’s apex industry association facilitating dialogue between trade and industry and the government, and is now a director there, coordinating the IR, HR, and L&D, Retail, and Environment and Waste Management committees, and editing the GCCI Bulletin. Over 25 years, she has had a ringside view of the changing face of the business side of Goa, and seen how the landscape has changed for working women, across the spectrum from entry-level employees to new-age entrepreneurs and leaders of traditional businesses.

On a neon green background, a faint wave pattern runs down the right side. On top, in a yellow rectangle: Goa spotlight Below, the headline: Days of our lives Below, a subhead: The everyday lives of half of Goa’s residents Next, the session date: 8 February Next, a circular window where usually is a portrait of the presenter, an image showing a camera. Next to that, where the presenter’s name usually appears: Multiple photographer And below that, a descriptor: Curated by Frederick Noronha Below, at centre, the logotype for The Goa Project Sessions, which has the words ‘The Goa Project’ in white text next to a stylised sunset-and-water image, and next to that, the word ‘Sessions’ within a stylised video camera image. In a black strip at the bottom: Once every four weeks on Sundays, 5:30 p.m. IST, online.

Away from the beaches and the hospitality industry and holiday-makers, what is Goa like for women just doing everyday jobs? Our own Frederick Noronha, independent journalist, writer, publisher, free software evangelist, and yes, no mean photographer himself, puts together a collection of photographs that will give you an insight into this world.

Update!

In addition to a few invited photographers we know, we are inviting submissions on this theme — women at work in Goa, ideally not in the tourism industry or fields allied to it, because we want to show that Goa is not just a holiday or seminar destination. We would prefer to feature (1) women photographers who are (2) early-career or amateurs (for example, you have never had a solo byline in the media, and have never had a solo exhibition), and (3) who are resident in Goa.

This form — https://forms.gle/ruLfxnwWd3cBQNyY9 — is collecting submissions up to midnight on Saturday. Head right to it if you fit the bill, or if you know someone who would be a good fit, please send them the link.