------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRI Continental Film Festival - Dona Paula, Goa, Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2007
http://www.moviesgoa.org/tricontinental/tricon.htm For public viewing. Registration at The International Centre Goa. (Ph: +91-832-2452805 to 10) Online Media Partner: http://www.GOANET.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AMBAULIM IS MARCHING TOWARDS EPIDEMIC Ambaulim village of Quepem taluka is situated at a distance of about 3 kms. from the Quepem towns. The Quepem Cuncolim road passes through Ambaulim village. While speaking about Ambaulim, I am speaking Ambaulim in terms of its Religious jurisdiction and not political jurisdiction. Entire village panchayat Ambaulim and part of Deao village now forms part of Quepem Municipal council forms part of Ambaulim. The total population of Ambaulim is around 5000 out of which 3800 are catholic and around 1200 are Hindus . That out of which schedule Tribe, particularly gawdas ( Christian and Hindu Gawdas) forms more than 95% population of Ambaulim. As compare to other villages of Goa which are marching forward, I may not be wrong if I say that Ambaulim is marching backward. The village is socially, educationally and economically backward. The main economy of the village is agriculture . There are very few graduates in the village who can be counted on the fingers. However the village is rapidly marching forward in the field of vices. That around 60% of the male population of the village is intoxicated towards drinking, eating tobacco and smoking , out of which 40% are habitual drinkers/tobacco eater while the remaining 20% are occasional . The number of male population who are getting intoxicated towards drinking/tobacco eating goes on increasing years after year. The total number of Bars and restaurants in entire Ambaulim are 31 in number , out of which 10 are restaurant, of which three are within the jurisdiction of Deao (QMC) while 7 comes within the jurisdiction of V. P. Ambaulim and 21 are Bars/Taverns (with a licence to sell only country liquor) of which 10 comes within the Jurisdiction of Ambaulim while 11 comes within he jurisdiction of Deao village (QMC). Considering the entire total population of Ambaulim is 5000 , for 161 population falls 1 bar and restaurant. Apart from the above mentioned legal Bars and Restaurants there are a dozens of illegal Bars/taverns. Most of the Bars and Restaurent/ Tavernas does not follow the timing laid down by the excise department which is 9.00 AM to 11.00 PM. However they are functioning like hotels as some of them opens even at 5.00 AM while other at 6.00 AM. Some of them even have entry through their residential house, as even their main door is close they are functioning through inside. The total numbers of death takes place among the catholic community in a year is around 50 people, out of which more than 50% death are in the age group of 35 to 50 years and most of them due to Alcoholic problems. The number of death rate of this age group is increasing constantly thereby increasing the number of young widows in the village. This also creates social problems in the village . Inquiries from the doctor practicing in the village revealed that every day at list 5 to 7 patient attend to his clinic due to problem of liver disorder. If the entire scenario is seen it can be predicted that Ambaulim is Marching Towards Epidemic in the years to come if no steps in the right direction are taken to bring the situation under control --------------------------------- Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search.
