My comments are interspersed in Eugene's text. vjp From: Eugene Correia <eugene.corr...@gmail.com> To: goa...@goanet.org Subject: Re: [Goanet] Dabolim Airport I followed the recent controversy of the airport authority to take over private land to make parking space at Dabolim Airport. It was because of Mauvin Godinho and minister Jose Phillip's intervention that the landlord could save his land, at least for now. +++++ To call Dabolim Airport an "international" airport is a shame. There is no parking available and cars coming to drop off passengers have to obtain a slip at the entrance. They are fined if they exceed the permitted limit.
venantius j pinto: Names and naming., We are a 5,000 year and counting civilization. We do what suits us. That is our international--which does not have to be their international. It will be that or even less what it is now according to our perceptions (planners, politicians and the regular man--often streaked in other swirls--part politico, technocrat, bureaucrat, etc). +++++ (DEL) +++++ As for forcing the navy to vacate Dabolim Airport, the Goa government must make a valid case. It should point out that the Sea Bird project in Karwar can alone handle the needs of the navy and that the central government should consider making Dabolim Airport into a top-class international airport. venantius j pinto: That takes sincere effort. And the State Secretaries are there to ensure deviations that are least people centered and F*%#UPs. Line them up and take a photo. Then see how hard it is for them to wipe off those shit-eating grins even for a photo. +++++ The Goa government must insist that tourism sustains Goa's economy to a large extent. Better facilities at the airport can help make tourists comfortable and gave give a fillip to tourism in the state. venantius j pinto: Paucity of spirit is a part of it the polito-intellectual malaise. Perhaps the Church should have come to the aid of these politicians way back when they were high born (RC priests)-- in unity with Brahmin, Brahman and all. Offered open conferences in Advaita Vedanta of Brahma-siddhi. But am merely I barking here? +++++ I met a wealthy Egyptian who was on a visit to Goa for the first time and he said he was shocked that Goa is promoted as a tourist destination despite the lack of infrastructure. The man has travelled widely across the globe and he said he was dismayed to see Goa's roads so narrow and so dangerous. He said the filth and the car traffic make Goa a nightmare. I doubt he would recommend Goa to his friends, relatives or business associates. venantius j pinto: Its our &%#holes who stand to make money off of the wealthy. But they got used to tons of people--simple people, hippies etc who come in large numbers and what they spend adds up. We are a people who generally love SHORTCUTS. But talking about wealth and it applies to all wealthy--if I was relatively wealthy say even in 1/10000000, even less and certainly more in the same terms, the Home Desi &%#holes would stand to gain a lot from my wealth--well ill gotten or not (perhaps hard earned in both cases) and what may be bought with it. PS all: Figure the last part out. +++++ In the late 70s the navy showed his nefarious design of "capturing" Bogmallo. There was a fear among the villagers of Bogmallo. The navy had insisted on making it a "naval village" but later backed off after the villagers showed their dissatisfaction. Hence, the navy bought land on the Dabolim plateau for building its officers" flats, schools, etc. The navy has, however, taken over the small beach called Sankrant (now sure of the spelling) just below the runway. As a youngster I used to go to this beach by going over the mountain and down the slope. The beach has a small waterfall. venantius j pinto: Our family lost property in Nerul on the hill/plateau. I believe it was taken for 50 paisa a sq yard. +++++ I know the military is always ambitious and want to expand its hold wherever it has its base, be it army, navy or air force. True, a place like Goa with its natural beauty and beaches, attractions for tourists, should never have allowed to have military presence. The Corps of Signals has its base in Bambolim. INS Hansa and INS Gomantak are based in Dabolim./Vasco area. The previous Goa governments are responsible for this. If the governments of the day had put their foot down the central government would have been forced to abandon its plans to use Goa as a naval base. venantius j pinto: True, and yet at this point what we have had a quiet nouveau aristocracy who have taken what has been seen as available, including alliances--marriage, and otherwise. +++++. Is is too late in the day for a reversal? People like Floriano may not think so, but I think the process is irreversible. As I said before maybe when Floriano comes to power he can arm himself to fight the central government. But his first battle is to win on the home front -- the elections. DEL Eugene Correia