Something to think about I have been following the escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinians with foreboding. Everyday, I watch Israeli tanks and helicopters crush the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority. Then I watch the coverage of the carnage from a suicide bombing. Then I watch Ariel Sharon, who increasingly appears to me like a Jewish Hitler, turn around and say Arafat is not doing enough to arrest Palestinian guerillas and dissuade young Palestinians from killing themselves and busloads of Israelis. And George Bush agrees. And Tim Sebastian, whose IQ is possibly even lower than George's but who, unlike George, can usually express himself in grammatical sentences, acts like he's George's personal spokesperson and grills the European Union guy on why the EU wants to impose sanctions on Israel.
I change the channel, only to get a dose of Vajpayee saying he can't face the world because of Gujarat. Out-of-control violence based on fundamentalist belief systems seems to be on the rise everywhere. My mind clicks on the fact that Gujarat is a lot closer to home than the West Bank. And I get a cold feeling in the pit of my stomach. I try to convince myself that nothing like that could happen here, in our little tropical enclave. Come on, I say to myself, Goans are so laid back, they don't even have the energy for that sort thing. And I look around. Under the current caretaking government, some of our most corrupt politicians have been neutralized under what is coming to be known as the "dossier system". The availability of basic amenities and services seems to have improved, the roads are being taken care of, the city is cleaner, things work, traffic is better controlled, and every time I cross the Mandovi Bridge after 12 pm, the cops are out there doing their job and protecting civilians. Okay, I think, sure, some degree of fundamentalism exists among Goans, like that time my friend of many years, Ashok Chowgule, got mad at me because he thought I was the author of a Reuters piece criticizing the VHP (it wasn't me, although I am clearly not a cheering fan of the VHP). But he's a still a staunch VHP man and we're still friends, so how serious can the communal issue really be here in Goa? I look at the palm trees swaying and the gentle beating of waves against the shore, and it is so easy to feel that nothing is really too out of whack in my little world (except for the looming vision of the River Princess). Oh, but then I remember the mosque that got wiped out, which somehow became a non-issue. And there was the church that allegedly burnt down because of some candles. And there was that business during the bandh which was declared after the Godhra incident, when thugs were running around Goa threatening shop keepers and burning tires on the road, and we were afraid to go out-that's definitely a new thing. And, wait a minute, wasn't our man one of the kar sevaks who went rushing off to Ayodhya to help tear down the Babri Masjid? Hmmm. Something for people to think about during the upcoming elections. Smething else to think about: April 18th is World Heritage Day. To commemorate it, Heritage and Conservation groups plan to have a public celebration at the Panjim Municipal Garden, starting at 5 pm. The objective is to revive the public use of the garden, which has a noteworthy architectural heritage history. Accordingly, musicians, artists, theatre groups are being invited to attend and perform for the public. They have agreed to do this free of cost. The Police Band, which in earlier times used to play regularly at the garden bandstand, is being invited to kick off the event. Press releases will be out this week encouraging the public to participate in the celebration. People are advised to bring some candles, since the garden is not very well lit. (Nobody is worried about the bandstand "accidentally" burning down.) I personally hope this will give the Municipality some alternative ideas on how this space can be utilized, other than filling it with fake fiberglass mountains and absurd toilets in the shape of castles. After all, the Municipal garden is not Disneyland. Maybe I'll see you there. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
