Some very useful food for thought in today's TOI story headlined "Dr Sidhu sworn in governor". As previously reported Sidhu has served as Secretary General, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an organ of United Nations, Canada, from 1988 to 1991 and has also headed our public sector carriers.
But first some additional details from the Hindu's report on the event. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200807212074.htm <An IAS officer of 1952 batch, Sidhu was born on October 13, 1929. He has served as Secretary to three Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and as District Magistrate, Kanpur, and was also the Divisional Commissioner of Agra. In the Central government, he has served as Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and held various other important positions....Sidhu has authored several books including "Steel Industry in India: Problems & Perspective," "Aviation and Sustainable Tourism: Emerging Trends," "New Horizons in Travel" and "Tourism: Asian Approach."> Now to revert to the TOI report. It seems the new Governor is keenly interested in tourism in general and in Goa in particular. "Dr Sidhu singled out tourism as the main sector for socio-economic development in Goa. But he said tourism should be sustainable, responsible and community based. Dr Sidhu said tourism in Goa sould be based on a balance of interests between environment and economy.... Goa needs to identify its own brand image and develop it". What is exceedingly interesting to me is the following Sidhu quote: "Tourism and aviation are two sides of the same coin. Tourism cannot develop without aviation support". What does this imply for Goa's "brand" of tourism up till now, given all the chronic distortions and contortions at Dabolim civil enclave? Next point made by Gov.Sidhu: "Goa needs a world class airport and I understand Goa already has a proposal for it." Does this imply that the good governor is in favour of Mopa and shutting down Dabolim civil enclave? If so, it may be worrisome. However there is a ray of hope. He has commended the CM and his team for his/their ability. As we all know the CM's committee has proposed two airports for Goa as broadly envisaged by ICAO, the U.N. organisation which Sidhu-sab headed 20 years ago. The following crucial observation in the TOI story has been attributed to Sidhu: "There are several viewpoints on the airport BUT THERE MUST BE CONVERGENCE ON THOSE VIEWPOINTS FOR DEVELOPMENT (emphasis mine)". This is where the new Governor's new role enters the picture. Can he, with his vast knowledge of aviation and tourism, facilitate the required convergence on two airports in the disjointed debate in Goa? Perhaps he can organise and preside (benignly) over a series of seminars on the aviation-centric development of Goa. All of Goa will be grateful to him in future decades if he can do this and move the state off dead center in aviation and according, to his own logic, (environmentally and heritage sensitive) tourism and development. One other thing: the TOI report quotes Gov.Sidhu as saying: "I will be accessible. Anybody can meet me". Some intrepid goanetter should try to ensure that he is Web enabled -- and checks out goanet every once in a while.