World Juniors play in paradise

Visitors to Goa are fascinated by its magnificent scenic beauty, architectural splendors of its temples, churches, ancient buildings, sunny beaches and most of all its unique history and rich culture. Ever since the Portuguese navigator Vasco-da-Gama landed in Goa in the 15th centura, the erstwhile Muslim port with a pre-dominant Hindu population became a Portuguese colony, and stayed that way for the next 450 years. Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonization on December 19, 1961 and became a Union Territory.

The influence of religions and cultures of East and West over the centuries has provided Goa a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic communities make up almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other religions. All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goan people allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions with equal enthusiasm. Konkani and Marathi are the state languages, English is widely spoken all over Goa

Panaji (Panjim), the state capital is located on the banks of the Mandovi river. Goa is blessed with palm-fringed coastline, lapped by the warm waters of the Arabian sea, lush green paddy fields, coconut and cashew plantations and gently meandering rivers. The sea and rivers are abound in seafood – prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs and lobsters that are popular with the locals and the visitors.

Goan cuisine is a blend of different influences the Goans had to endure during the centuries. The staple food in Goa is fish and rice, both among the Hindus and the Catholics. Unlike the Christian food the Hindu Goan food is not strongly influenced by the Portuguese cuisine Feni and Toddy, the local drinks

The tourist season in Goa begins in late September and carries on through early March. The weather in these months is usually dry and pleasantly cool. Then the weather gets really hot around May and by end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms.

However it is also during the monsoon that Goa is at its most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around.

Schedule of play

Stand after Round 7

GM Aronian of Armenia maintained his position on the top board with a draw against Ni Hua of China. Aronian is to play on the top board against Bu Xiangzhi in the 8th round Schedule on Dec 15. GM Pentyala Harikrishna remained within striking distance of the leaders after settling for peace with Grandmaster Luke McShane of England. Harikrishna along with 8 others is on 5 points and is expected to do well after the rest day on Saturday.

WGM Zhoa Xue (6) of China regained the sole leader position with a resounding victory over Tatiana Kosintseva of Russia in the 7th round of the 19th World Juniors Girls’ chess championship here at Cidade de Goa. Natalia Pogonina of Russia, trails by half a point, is placed second. Top seed and hot favorite Koneru Humpy of India slipped to joint third position after a tough seventh round draw with Elmira Hasanova of Russia.

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