MUMBAI: BIG 92.7 FM's BIG Goemkar Awards, a first-of-its-kind initiative to acknowledge and applaud the individuals that bring laurels and pride to Goa, gets set to take centre stage yet again, though as the Gera BIG Goemkar Awards 2009. The awards, now in its 2nd leg are back after meeting with much support from the people of Goa. The nominees will be put forth by listeners via SMS, email, on ground etc., beginning 11th May 2009 and the winners will be awarded amidst much pomp and fanfare through a mega on ground event on June 6, 2009.

This year, the awards ceremony only gets BIGger and better as BIG 92.7 FM joins hands with Gera Developments to felicitate the fresh, new set of Gera BIG Goemkars for 2009. The process remains the same with listeners being asked to nominate via SMS, those people who they think deserve the title of the Gera BIG Goemkar.... Organizations and institutions are also being approached to send in their nominations, via forms that will be sent by snail mail.

A select panel of judges, that will include Nitin Kunkolienkar, President, GCCI and Dr. Pramod Salgaocar, Chairperson, Women's Commission, will then have a closed door session where they will in concurrence narrow down the entries to the finalists. The finalists will then be put forth to listeners who will be asked to vote for the selected candidates and based on the number of votes from the people of Goa the winners will be selected. The judges however, will be given the power of final veto.

BIG 92.7 FM, the number one FM network of the country with 45 stations on air, is identified by the creative expression of Aik aikai, life fulai... and it is the company's vision to be the first choice of listeners by not only entertaining, but also by positively impacting and transforming their lives.... To further this endeavor, BIG 92.7 FM undertook a myriad of activities in 2008 like a pledge to plant 927 trees across Goa, within the first year of launch, a road safety quiz for students, an interaction with street children, a road safety awareness campaign and a partnership with the Goa State Aids Awareness Society to create awareness on aids, the biggest being the BIG Goemkar Awards 2008 which recognized and acknowledged the grand efforts and achievements of young Goans like Akshada Bandekar, Ivana Furtado, Oliver Sean and Swapnil Asnodkar, amongst many others. The awards encouraged the younger generation to strive to achieve similar goals, thus raising the level of competence amongst the youth of Goa.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Richard Dias, Station Head, BIG 92.7 FM – Panjim said, The response that we received last year from the BIG Goemkar Awards was stupendous and we have brought it back on popular demand. The local populace has acknowledged the influence and impact an award of this magnitude can have on the youth of the city and we are hosting the 2nd leg as a further encouragement. Through this offering we wish to recognize those youth who have done exemplary contribution and can act as role models and positive influencers, to inspire more youth to come forward and make a difference in society. We are thankful to Gera Developments for coming on board as partners to this initiative....

Also speaking on the occasion, Ms. Jaya Deshmukh, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Gera Developments said, Gera Developments has always been focused on innovation, community service and environment friendly initiatives. We have always looked to encourage and support individuals who have worked in this regard, while acknowledging and applauding their efforts. Therefore, we find it a privilege to be associated with Big 92.7 FM on the Gera Big Goemkar Awards 2009....