A hands on historian

Heritage, history and culture fascinate him. Falling in love with the rich heritage of Goa, his prime objective is to pass its whereabouts to the new generation to empower it with knowledge. Documenting the fragmented pieces of the chequered history of Goa and aiming to set right our heritage by preserving it for posterity, Sanjeev Sardesai, named it a social obligation when he instituted a forum called as ‘Hands–on–Historians’ to promote the rich heritage and history of Goa to the Generation Next through schools and other associations through free audio-visual presentations – Go Goa, know Goa.

“It’s a mission,” declares Sanjeev who has so far given around 100 presentations in schools, television channels, departments and organisations. His lectures are unique, supported with authentic data and photographs and receive positive feedback, especially from young students. His notes on history have fascinated hundreds of young minds who compel their parents to take them to those spots in Goa. “It’s really heartwarming,” he admits.

Cultures and traditions bind people with their land. Having felt the need to discuss the traditions followed in varied faiths of the world, Sanjeev has promoted one more forum – ‘SansCritic’ – The Behind & the Beyond’. Passionately collecting a whole lot of authentic information from various sources and supplementing it with around a lakh photographs – all in support of his tall claims of historically rich but neglected heritage cites in Goa, Sanjeev’s collection of photographs of historical and archaeological value goes back to 1900. An avid photographer himself, his stock of photos keeps multiplying. He also possesses some of the rare pictures of the black and white era, collected from libraries, people and institutions. Sanjeev has played a part in founding Goan Shutterbugs, an association of photographers and is currently its joint secretary.

A lover of sports right from childhood, Sanjeev won medals in school and has represented his college at University level badminton, athletics and hockey. He loves cricket, tennis, angling (fishing) and arborics (natural wood art). His varied hobbies make him a curious traveller, observer and walker. Sanjeev takes interested groups on heritage walks around towns and cities in Goa.

Recalling his experience in hospitality sector, Sanjeev held the post of secretary for the Goa Travel & Tourism Club (now the Travel & Tourism Association of Goa) for three consecutive terms. He was also a member of the high powered tourism board committee for formulation of the Tourism Policy of Goa for the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa. Nominated to the Goa State Committee for Rehabilitation of Reis Magos Fort, he was also the consulting co-ordinator for the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) in matters relating to traffic and other road related matters, coordination between the Traffic Cell – Goa Police and the Directorate of Transport. He was a committee member of IRTE (Institute of Road Safety Education) nominated by the Government of Goa, too.

Having spent over two decades in the hospitality sector, Sanjeev realised that there is no real tourism in Goa, though it may be given the status of a tourist state. This was due to lack of information, he felt and that encouraged him to take up the task of introducing the long lost history to Goans and through them to those who visit Goa. His journey amazes one and all. From a graduate in botany from the University of Mumbai in 1982 to his work experience of two decades in hospitality industry to setting up his own signage designing and fabrication business catering to industrial and traffic needs across Goa, Sanjeev finally called it a day in 2013 and dedicated himself fully to the cause he believed in – unlocking Goa’s history, heritage and culture.

Currently penning down a 600-page book bearing the same title, ‘Unlocking Goa – Heritage, History and Culture’, Sanjeev says, “I want to further break this book in separate topics so that it’s available for the common man at an affordable price. If introduced in an interesting style, the younger generation would surely turn the pages of history. We all must be proud of our history and heritage.”