-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEART TO HEART (Jan 8, 2006 Herald) By Ethel Da Costa
Welcome to the `Revolution' I had a whiff of a `revolution' just back from Bangalore on a work meet. He identified himself as a `hippie corporate intellectual,' long hair in a pony tail, intense grey eyes, sweatshirt that had seen better days, a knapsack on his back, sipping a beer at `Pecos' and discussing the fate of the youth in the 21st century. Talented, determined and hard-driven, I liked him immediately. All of twenty-two himself, as Jimi Hendrix wailed his guitar in the background and my eyes glued to VH1, he told me he was intent on starting a thought revolution in the minds of the youth, encouraging them to think differently through his publication which, as we were speaking, was having printing problems and missing the deadline to hit the stands. Over chicken curry dosa, I got introduced to `Strange Brew' and its young publisher Nikhil, former computer engineer, who chucked up the beaten path to establishment, choosing instead to listen to his dream. Six issues down the line, heartaches and heartburn galore, on the brink of selling his vital organs to keep his publication running 8,000 copies every month (that's how his magazine's ad print runs), Nikhil is the face of a collective of youth who dare to do things their way. Differently. His editorials urge readers to follow their dreams, "Even if it's a rock musician you want to be and your parents threaten to throw you out of their home," he writes. His fan following is growing. Well written and stylishly illustrated, 'Strange Brew' draws upon a diverse talent pool of maverick creative writers, theatre artists, cartoonists, movie writers, musicians, graphic designers, photographers, models and ad writers all working for almost nothing, but bursting with talent, energy, ideas and enthusiasm for life. Youth power with a purpose. From beer to a board meeting where I meet the rest of the 'Strange Crew,' Nikhil is determined to take his revolution to other parts of India, looking globally to talk to a cross-section of youth worldwide who aspire, dream and want the same things - freedom of expression -- to change their lives, city, decisions, education and politics. To indeed change the course of the world into letting young people `be,' free of personal prejudice and free of intellectual bondage, whilst having fun with what they do. "The youth is the answer," he told me passionately, as we threw ideas, back and forth. "And we all want to reach the top and be the best in what we do. Our future is in our hands. It's not about following the establishment. It is about changing the way the establishment thinks that can change the course of our world. We want to empower the youth to believe in their talent. The youth must be decision makers. Unless the youth create their own platforms for independent thinking, we will continue to have wars determined by somebody else's politics," says Nikhil with a fire burning bright in his eyes. 'Strange Brew' wants to connect the youth of the world together, to aspire for the values that sets us apart," whilst Nikhil simultaneously taking me through a theatre plot designed for a pub in Goa. Later, meeting Nikhil's parents, journalists and corporate heads at a popular hangout called Koshy's (all fans of 'Strange Brew'), I know Nikhil is not alone in his mission. Drawing emotional support from his parents and friends, as we plan the expansion of 'Strange Brew' through a foundation setup by Indo-US NRIs investing in talent, I realize a deeper need for the youth of Goa to connect on a similar wavelength to change their lives and the polity of this State. For too long the Goan youth have let things lie by, focusing instead to make a quick buck, instead of empowering themselves to be decision makers in their community. Falling prey as victims to the establishment, Goan youth have let intellectual corrosion, corruption and political instability take over their lives, by being lethargic and unaffected to initiate action. The only representation of youth I have seen in Goa are as 'chamchas' to political yes-men, forgetting that they themselves could sit in power if only fueled by 'self believe' and 'conviction' of a deeper need to be in control of your environment. Money does not necessarily rule, all times. The youth of Bangalore have a role model. What would it take Goa to show the way? ===== -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
