From: "brian mark mendonca" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Report of Goa seminar in Delhi on 4th May 2002, organised by GoemkarachoEkvott.
POLITICAL STABILITY THE NEED OF THE HOUR 'Goenkarancho Ekvot', a Delhi based, socio-cultural organization, held a seminar -- the first of its kind -- on Saturday, 4th May 2002, at the Indian Institute of Planners, Delhi. The topic of the seminar was 'GOA, Today and Tomorrow'. Eminent personalities, Mr. Pai Panandikar, President RPG Foundation; Mr. Dean D’Cruz, consulting architect; Mr. Ulhas Kamat, Regional Director of Tourism, Govt. of India and Dr. Brian Mendonca, Project Editor, Oxford University Press, spoke on the occasion. Discussions pertaining to the economy, environment (natural and built), tourism and socio-cultural issues, were moderated by the convenor, Mr. Edgar Ribeiro, Director, Association of Metropolitan Development Authority. The function was presided over by Mr. Eduardo Faleiro, Member of Parliament and was well attended. The seminar incorporated a display of books on Goa from the personal collections of some of the members. Mrs Sushma Sonak of National Book Trust also rustled together and displayed beautiful posters depicting the plant and animal biodiversity in Goa and how Goa's fragile ecosystem was being choked with urban waste and soil erosion among other factors. The seminar began with an invocation, 'Ghod Mhojea Goem' sung in Konkani accompanied by the guitar. Mrs. Suman Kurade, President of 'Goenkarancho Ekvot', in her welcome address pointed out that all problems in Goa, stemmed from the political instability in the state. "The need of the hour is not just, a stable government but a functioning government, devoid of malpractice and corruption," she said. She urged those present to use Konkani as it was the binding force among Goans. Mr. Pai Panandikar, eminent economist, pointed out that Goa had missed a number of opportunities like a free port, and offshore banking that would have led to economic development in the state. He stated that while Goa had what he termed, the "strengths" of an economy, viz. literacy and healthcare, it were the "weaknesses", viz. an unstable Government, migrant labour and lack of infrastructure that would have to be resolved, before expecting positive development. Mr. Panandikar, emphasized the need to get into Goa, industries like IT, biotechnology and service industries that are clean and non-polluting. Goa based architect, Dean D'Cruz, listed the numerous environmental issues that need immediate attention -- lack of a garbage disposal system, use of plastic bags, water shortage, advertisement hoardings that block vistas, saline water ingression that is killing trees and plants, development in coastal areas that is destroying the natural habitat of coastal flora and fauna, etc. The most alarming, was the rise in the level of seawater that could lead to a loss of 4% of Goa's coastline, if global warming was not controlled. Mr. D'Cruz also stressed the need to review the current CRZ laws as well as other rules and regulations pertaining to heritage buildings, khazan areas and construction on hill slopes. Mr. Ulhas Kamat, speaking on the impact of tourism in the state today and the direction the tourism industry should take, spelled out the various efforts of the Government in promoting tourism. Besides the Master Plan for tourism policy ( up to the year 2011) that is already in place, the Government has reduced luxury tax and service tax, to boost the hospitality industry. What still needs to be done is the augmentation of existing infrastructure, like water, power, airport facilities and railway connectivity. Goa caters mainly to the 'Five Star' bracket of tourists, for whom every comfort and luxury is provided. There is however, very little infrastructure, like local transport, for the budget traveler. Delhi based editor, Dr. Brian Mendonca emphasized the passing away of a way of life in Goa, in his paper, 'Goa, Here today, Gone Tomorrow: Reflections of a Goan in Exile.' Dr. Mendonca observed that many Goans -- fugitives in other states -- have now been rendered, "homeless" in their own land. This was due to the selling of ancestral property and the spurt of commercialism and consumerism in Goa. The heavy toll on human life arising as a result of 'development'in Goa was reflected in Goan literature, which he termed "a literature of loss". This was seen most graphically in Pundalik Naik's novel "Acchev" (Upheaval) about the ravages of mining in Ponda. He hauled up the media for their "tits and arse" image of Goa and Goan women. He stressed that a Konkani channel should be started on the national TV network to promote the language and culture of the people which presently received pariah status at the national level. He cited the example of the National Festival of Drama organized by NSD, and the World Book fair. Summing up the seminar, Mr Ribeiro expressed that Goa needed not just development, but sustainable development. He elaborated that, in order to achieve any kind of progress, it is essential that all socio-economic investments be linked with a spatial framework. He felt that a Government that functions minus the current maladies of indecisiveness and inability to withstand the sway of different lobbies like the builders lobby would go a long way in bringing positive development. He stressed the need for people to address the environmental concerns affecting their quality of life and suggested that NGO's and social organizations play a active and vigilant role, even taking the government to task, if need be. Further Mr. Ribeiro said, "what Goa needs is a transparent system, where people are aware of the workings of the government and its every action is open for review." Presently politicians are guilty of being anything, but transparent. He suggested that all plans be published and public debate be held on important issues concerning the state. He finished off on a very positive note that, "the advantage Goa has, of being a small state should be exploited to its fullest. Currently Goa's has too many laws. The ideal scenario is to have laws that are simple and easy to understand". The seminar was followed by informal interactions between those present and the speakers over a lavish tea. (ENDS) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ To unsubscribe from Goanews Send a mail message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: 'unsubscribe goanews'
