Destination India: Ponda, Goa

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Ponda, Goa

Safa Shahouri Masjid
Originally uploaded by FabIndia.

Ponda is located in the central part of Goa. It is right on top of the Panjim-Bangalore highway. Safa Masjid, a well-preserved Mosque, built in 1560 by the Bijapuri ruler Ibrahim Adil Shah is here. It is a remarkable Mosque because it is one of two Islamic shrines that escaped the Portuguese Inquisition in Goa. There are also many Hindu temples in the area, the most famous being the Mahalasa, Shantadurga, Mangesh and Navadurga temples. Ponda is very close to the town of Farmagudi. Government Engineering College of Goa is in Farmagudi part of Ponda town. Ponda is well connected by road to the Panaji (Capital of Goa) and main railway junction Madgaon. Ponda is industrial centre of Goa state.

About Me

India has always fascinated me for different reasons. The vastness of its culture, the diversity of people’s opinions and the limitations of its vision. Despite our diversity, we need to have a collective vision. India is not a country of four metropolis or a couple of high-tech cities. This nation of a billion people has 29 states and 6 union territories. We have 35 state and territorial capitals. How much do we know about each of these important cities?

Professionally I am a graphic designer from Bombay, India. In 1987, I co-authored a book on Corporate India, but my desire to throw a wider net and pick up much more information remains intact. I want my people from every city and every state to write and photograph details and information that would be interesting to the viewers around the world. We have so much to talk about and so much to share - this medium and this technology can help fulfill our collective dreams.