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Tri Continental Film Festival 2008 July 25 - 30, 2008 Goa, India --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:57:37 +0530 From: "Tony de Sa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > That house is approximately 60 years old and if any one could call such a house a "heritage house" they are welcome to their view. Celina has bought a house in Moira, period. To non-Goans and 'bhaile' any bungalow in Goa becomes a "heritage house" or a "Portuguese house". > Mario observes: > You are right. If the house is only 60-years-old it may not fit the precise definition of a "Heritage house", but it may look like a Heritage house, and is probably a big old Portuguese-Goan-style house. > Tony wrote: > Till such time that Celina actually resides in Moira, she cannot claim to be a Moidekar, old or new, any more than me merely buying a house in Timbuctoo makes me a Timbuctooan. She is merely refurbishing a house and certainly not a heritage house by any stretch of immagination. > Mario responds: > Tony, if you have been following the discussions on Goanet about preserving Goan identity and saving Goa from those nasty "Indians", you would know that most of the debaters, albeit of Goan ancestry, do not reside in Goa but claim to be some type of "Goen-kar" or another. Whether you like it or not, Celina is a new-Moidekar, at least part-time, just as I am a part-time new-Ponjekar. > Why do you have such hostility towards the lovely and gracious Celina, who is surely a cut above most of the Ghantis happily infesting Goa, without whom Goa's economy would come to a standstill???? > Tony wrote: > What interest, what economy? The house is probably bought as an investment as realty in Goa really rocks and becomes a talking point in bhaile circles. The only contribution to the local economy would be to hire a few servants if at all. Any local approaching the house is likely to be met by a snarling non-Goan securitywalla. > Mario responds: > If Celina is buying the house only as an investment then she should have done so about six or seven years ago before the prices went crazy. But, you are absolutely right, Goan real estate still rocks when compared to Mumbai and Pune and Delhi, but only because of the bhaile who seem to appreciate Goa more than the locals or the Goan NRIs who have the money but prefer to simply piss and moan instead of buying these properties. > As to your question, "What interest, what economy?" you don't seem to be grasping the big picture - the economic ripple effect of such an acquisition. > The family selling the house will benefit, those hired to refurbish the house will benefit, the Goan Exchequer will benefit from licenses and taxes imposed, and yes, the servants and their families will benefit. Let's not forget the snarling non-Goan securitywallah, whose family will also benefit. If Goans could be taught to snarl - other than verbally on Goanet - perhaps the securitywallah would have been a Goan too:-)) > When Celina comes to visit the airlines she flies on will benefit. If she drives, the petrol pumps will benefit. The vendors she buys groceries and other consumables and souvenirs from will benefit. Wendell may benefit. Even you may benefit from an increase in the value of your property. So many people will benefit when compared to the old house just sitting there, crumbling more with every monsoon. > You all should pray for more Celinas, not less. > Tony wrote: > The people of Moira are working to keep the bhaile and the Ghantis out. We have enough of those in two "Fucot Nagars" in Moira. The Acron people are putting up a mega project intended for the bhailland the 'goras' (Locals can't afford Rs. 2.5 cr per bungalow) which is being opposed by the Moira Action Committee. > Mario responds: > You should welcome the bhaile and the Ghanttis because Goa's economy would be a shamples without them, just like the Americans welcome Indians because their economy would be a shambles without Indians. > Those Moidekars who have inherited a bungalow from their ancestors are crorepattis too - you may be one of them. So, why are you all trying to prevent others from making money by opposing the economic development that is making so many Goans rich? Far better to elect honest politicians and make sure that the development is done in a tasteful manner to be compatible with its surroundings in the village. > Tony wrote: > Frankly, would you want Ghanttis cluttering your door step? > Mario responds: > Tony, I am a Bhayya at heart, so Ghanttis don't bother me:-)) > If they are anything like the lovely and gracious Celina, they are also welcome to come through my door:-)) The more the merrier. I think you "old Goans" had better get used to the idea that there are a growing number of "new Goans" in Goa, whom you cannot stop any more than King Canute was able to stop the tide from coming in. > Tony wrote: > Please treat the presence of Ghanttis in Goa as equivalent to that of Indians in America and UK - They are needed by the locals yes, but they are not wanted. > Mario responds: > I will let the Goans from the UK speak for the UK, but, if the Ghanttis in Goa are equivalent to the Indians in America, not only are they needed and wanted and admired and welcomed by the locals, with very few exceptions, they will soon be the wealthiest new-Goans in Goa, just as the Indians are the wealthiest new-Americans in America. > Just as Indians come to America as the land of freedom and opportunity, the Ghanttis are flocking to Goa for the very same reasons. I hope the old-Goans will rise to the challenge and join in the economic boom taking place or they may end up in "reservations" like the "old-native-Americans". >