This posting refers to two recent ones; by Marshall pointing us to the
news-report on The Supreme Court staying the infamous Cidade Ordinance (also
carried by Goanet in its news service), and to Arwin's short but angry
outburst against the villains of the piece, the now infamous Timblos who own
the hotel.
Marshall erroneously reads victory in the stay order issued by our apex
court. I do not feel this is warranted. While Claude states the obvious in
his comments, namely, that following the Court order, the Timblos will have
to demolish the illegal structures before April 30th or whatever, it is
quite obvious, from the same report, that Timblo's lawyers are totally
unfazed and are preparing themselves for a long haul in the courts.
I think it should be made clear that it was never in doubt that The Supreme
Court was going to sit back and allow itself to be shown disrespect. The
writ of the law in Taleigao and its environs up to Dona Paula does not,
thank God, run all the way to Delhi.
In this respect though, my sympathies are more with Arwin. The Timblo's
lawyers are paid the handsome fees they are, to do exactly as they have done
admirably, namely, find loopholes to push through the Timblo writ and delay
matters as long as possible. There is a shamelessness inherent in this ugly
episode that is disgusting beyond belief, and in this regard, readers may
want to revisit a very eloquent letter by Dr. Anil Desai from London, who
asked the very same question, albeit more politely: Is there no hounour left
in the Timblos?
I think we have to take this to another level, one that will hit them where
it hurts. The net belongs to the people thus far, and the people have truth
on their side.
We need some concerned Goans abroad, particularly the UK to make the
Timblos' dishonesty and greed public, and lobby with chartered tours
operating from the UK and Europe to boycott the Cidade de Goa hotel. Young
Goans would do all of us a great service if they put this issue up on
Facebook. If someone can get us telephone numbers, email IDs of senior
managers at the Cidade de Goa, one could send them mails protesting their
behaviour.
Some will immediately say that this is a piecemeal solution, but it has its
advantages. It helps build our solidarity and will allow us to remain
optimistic, while, on the other hand, also showing the Timblos, that Goans
are not as stupid as they think we are!
Cheers,
Hartman
