Goa from the skies

While assisting the Goa police in keeping an eye on people violating lockdown rules, Varad Karmali along with Tushar Kamat and Agnivesh Gaonkar managed to capture an aerial view of scenic Goa during the lockdown in a special video

Danuska Da Gama | NT BUZZ

Empty roads. The sounds of birds chirping. These are some of the memories from the first lockdown in the state back in March, that will remain etched in our minds.

And to keep such memories for times to come, photographer Varad Karmali and Tushar Kamat have captured aerial footage of Goa during this period.

Karmali, through his firm Droneacharya, was earlier using his drone to help the police in maintaining law and order in the state, by keeping a check on violators especially in the inner roads. It was then that Inspector General of Police, Jaspal Singh  along with Superintendent of Police  Shobit Saxena came up with a brilliant idea of creating a video with the aerial footage. With permissions obtained,Karmali then went around capturing footage of iconic places and touristy destinations like the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral at Old Goa;Nagueshi Temple, Ponda;and the two bridges that connect Curchorem and Sanvordem.

It was especially a sight to behold to see the Curchorem Junction that is otherwise crowded due to mining activity, wearing a deserted look. Other places that can be seen in the video which has since gone viral (12K views so far) are Marutigad Temple, Curchorem; Entertainment Society of Goa, Panaji; Miramar Circle; Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji; St Jacinto Island; Reis Magos Fort; Fort Aguada; and the Margao Municipal Garden.

On the suggestion of Jaspal Singh, Karmali then roped in his friend, songwriter and music composer from Merces, Tushar Kamat to provide music for the video. In his song for the video, Kamat talk about what it is like to have stayed in Goa.The video was edited by Agnivesh Gaonkar from Sanguem.

The video has been appreciated by several Goans including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and was also uploaded on the Goa Police Facebook page. The video has made a lot of people realise that there is no other place in Goa, and that we should take measures to preserve it for the generations to come.