PANAJI
As each G20 meeting in Goa comes to a close, delegates leave with a specially curated souvenir gifted by G20 Goa. With Goa’s commitment to upholding the vision of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the souvenir is a representation of the commitment to be environmentally conscious, with methods of production and waste reduction. It is also in keeping with the theme of the G20 meetings - ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
“The Government of Goa and G20 Goa has put a lot of thought into choosing the right items for gifting, ensuring that each of them represents the essence of Goa and its cultural heritage, while also giving local artisans an opportunity to be associated with G20 through their skill and art,” said Sanjit Rodrigues, Nodal Officer G20.
The message of sustainability and self-reliance is echoed through each of the items. Besides, each gift present as part of the souvenir has various Goan elements that represent the essence of the State and its culture, traditions and ways of living.
Let’s have a look at some of the gifts that the delegates are taking home from Goa.
Recycled wood serving tray with azulejo tiles inlay: Exclusive to Goa, the art of azulejo, or hand-painted ceramic tiles was brought to Goa by the Portuguese. Today made with traditional and modern techniques”hand-painted and fired by local artisans and are mostly in blue, for these souvenir pieces, recycled wood has been fused with the azulejo tile to create a beautiful utilitarian serving tray.
Kunbi tote bag and embroidered stole: Designed using organic jute and cotton fabrics, the tote bag highlights the Kunbi tribe’s traditional red fabric. Instead of a zipper, a coconut shell button has been used to keep the bag plastic-free. The embroidered Kunbi stole brings together a contemporary influence on Goa’s indigenous Kunbi fabric. The dyes used on the fabric are extracted from roots, the bark of trees, seeds, flowers, iron ore, rice (kanji), and Goan vinegar, all of which have medicinal properties. These have been made by fashion designer Verma D’Mello.
Goan house window replica: With ornate features, these windows have rectangular pieces of fine mother-of-pearl shells fixed into wooden battens and help in filtering air and sunlight.
Organic scented candle: The minimal-waste handmade candle is made with love from organic wax. It emanates the fragrance of a wild flower from the Western Ghats. It is placed in a glass container made from discarded beer bottles.
Roasted organic Goan cashew nuts: Cashew nuts are an integral part of Goa’s identity. A pack of 250 grams of cashew nuts is included along with a note that talks about how the cashew nuts were brought to Goa by the Portuguese.
Goan feni: The GI-certified Goan cashew feni has been bottled in a bottle with pearls and shells from Goa and touches of sustainable jute. The Kunbi fabric is draped around the bottle like a saree.
