Goa takes hard-sell on film festival possibilities to Delhi >From Frederick Noronha
PANAJI (Goa), Oct 13: Unsure but eager, like a shy bride, India's smallest state of Goa is gearing up for hosting the 2004 international film festival, while warding off criticism on whether it can do it, or if the state is simply overstretching itself. Chief minister Manohar Parrikar, a BJP politician who's party also rules Delhi, is confident Goa can do it. But much depends on the uncertain world of politics, both in the national capital and here, before this can become a reality. Panaji's plans are somewhat pulled back not just by a section of film industry which questions the wisdom of shifting the venue of the fest, but also by some local sentiment which believes that Goa would not gain much from this event but pay the price in terms of additional congestion on the already-strained infrastructure. Over the past week, the Goa government set up an exhibition titled 'Goa Calls' at the Film Bazaar organised in connection with the International Film Festival of India in New Delhi's Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi. This official hardsell aimed at assuaging the critics displays Goa as a place of vast tourism potential, a destination for investment in industries including entertainment and hospitality and a centre of culture. This Film Bazaar was inaugurated on October 10, 2003 a day after the commencement of the International Film Festival. Goa's state government announced here that the 'Goa Calls' pavillion is "an attempt" to display through digital panels and photographs, the historical, social and economic life "thereby wipe off the wrong image" of the State at national level. Officials said here that Goa has been projected as a mult-hued and distinctive lifestyled place "quite different from the rest of India" but where "people professing different religions have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony". On the tourism front, it also tries to make the point that Goa "is much more than just beaches and sea while it has a soul which goes deep into its unique history, rich cultural heritage and fabulous natural scenery". Chief Minister Manohar Parikar, in a message, has argued that the "strong investment" which Goa has been making in "human capital" has "borne fruits". To further strengthen its case, a large-sized photo shows Panaji (also called Panjim and Ponnje) printed on vinyl at the main entrance which, officials said, reminds the people of the next venue of international Film Festival of India. In the past year, the Government of India announced that it would be shifting permanently the venue of the film festival from Delhi to Goa. Official quarters here said Union Minister for Broadcasting Ravi Shankar Prasad had shown an interest in the exhibition and inquired with Goa Information Secretary Ms. Jayshree Raghuraman about the progress made by the Govt. of Goa in creating the infrastructure for the next IFFI. This exhibiton is open for public at Siri Fort till October 17, 2003. ENDS ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
