Pechakucha Vol. 56 – “It’s About Love!”

Nishtha Agrawal

Founder & Head Chef-Asro Cafe

After a decade in the corporate world, Nishtha Agrawal sought deeper purpose. Her love story with life led to Asro Cafe—a haven of coffee, books, and community. Meaning “shelter,” Asro embraces Goa’s transient spirit, hosting book clubs, storytelling, and wandering cats, where strangers become kindred spirits, even briefly.

Utpal Ghosh

Founder – Protein Box

Utpal Ghosh, founder of Protein Box, is a passionate entrepreneur who fell in love with building from scratch. From a Bengali family with no business background, he left a 15-year corporate career on his birthday. His unplanned leap became his greatest love story, proving passion isn’t always planned.

Sneha Mallya

Singer

A singer, live performer, and karaoke host, she entertains audiences across Panjim. With 14 years in marketing, she also enjoys dancing, driving, cooking, writing, and content creation. She has written blogs and film scripts and explores the world through her own eyes, living in Goa with her beloved pet.

Lesly Agnelo Rajendran

Archipreneur and Founder & Chief Architect : Lesly Agnelo Architects

Lesly Agnelo Rajendran is a thoughtful, creative architect with a strong sense of ergonomics. His designs prioritise human interaction with built spaces, embracing bold horizontal and vertical lines for a distinctive modern style. He believes architecture should simplify life, ensuring functionality while evoking deep emotional connections with its surroundings.

Dr. Smitha Bhandare Kamat

Educationist, Cartoonist

Dr. Smitha Bhandare Kamat, an award-winning academician, writer, and cartoonist, thrives on learning and sharing. An online Harvard Graduate, she has authored six books and earned national and international accolades. Her cartoons have gained global recognition, featured by French and Turkish media, and exhibited at the Indian Institute of Cartoonists.

Vasu Ramanujam

Entrepreneur

Vasu is an author, film producer, AI practitioner, Rotarian, and Airbnb host. A contributor to India’s National Logistics Policy, he speaks at conferences and MBA colleges nationwide. Living in Caranzalem with his wife, Lalita, and their dog, Obelix, he balances creativity, technology, and hospitality with equal passion.

Sneha Bhandare

Founder-Nirvana T-shirts, Cafe ChaiCoffee and Baowich

An architect by education and entrepreneur by passion, she co-founded NIRVANA and founded Cafe Chai Coffee and BaoWich. Vice President at Omega Seiki Mobility, she’s an award-winning business leader, educator, and social contributor. A past charter president of the Rotary Club of Panjim Riviera, she champions innovation, sustainability, and urban design in Goa.

Diya Padiyar

Student, Content Writer 

Diya Padiyar, a Goa-based storyteller, is a published poet and English literature student. Balancing life as a part-time writer and full-time learner, she writes for Zen Consulting, Soul Travelling, and TEDxPanaji. Her work has been featured in local, national, and international literary magazines, reflecting her passion for words.

Glossy/Throne

Singers

Thorne is a Goan songwriter, singer, and poet. His work takes on a diverse array of themes ranging from biblical lament to lost love.

Glossy is a singer/actor from Goa, She sings in English, Marathi, Konkani and Hindi