The Creative Community of Goa (CCG), in partnership with the Association of Designers of India (ADI), Goa Chapter; hosted its monthly First Friday meetup in Caranzalem, creating a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, with support from the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), Department of IT, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa.
The evening featured two insightful presentations. Kapil Surlekar, an experienced architect and founder of Light@Work Design Consultants Pvt Ltd, shared his expertise in architectural lighting design. With over two decades of experience, Surlekar highlighted the importance of professional lighting practices across various large-scale projects in India and internationally. He also spoke about his initiative “Lights in Goa,” which focusses on promoting lighting education through seminars and workshops.
Pankaj Shah, a seasoned commercial and advertising photographer with 47 years of professional experience, presented his journey in photography. Shah discussed his role in major campaigns such as Kerala’s “God’s Own Country” initiative and his contributions to high-end digital photography in the Middle East and India. Having recently relocated to Goa, he expressed his interest in mentoring aspiring photographers and sharing his knowledge.
D S Prashant, CEO of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Department of IT, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, emphasised the importance of building a design policy that progresses at the community’s pace. He noted the launch of the CCG website as a significant step towards strengthening connections within Goa’s creative ecosystem, describing it as the first tangible outcome for the community.
With continued support from the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Goa, First Fridays meet-ups will continue to serve as a catalyst for collaboration and growth within the state’s creative sector.
The next ‘First Fridays’ meet-up will be hosted on January 3rd, 2025 continuing to build on the momentum of strengthening connections and driving innovation within the creative community.
