Why was the government right up to CM Parsekar lying about this matter all this while? This is the two-faced approach that this BJP government including Parsekar and Parrikar have been showing the Goan people more so the villagers of Naqueri-Quitol who had been up-in-arms raising their objections for the DefExpo from Day 1. Is this not yet again another way to hijack Goan land by the Defence Ministry and the Centre? This particularly so when there are no apparent benefits to the local people from holding the event except the pennies that will come their way from selling ice-cream and ‘khazem’. Is it not the elected government and local politicians responsibility to bring in permanent benefits to the local people by jobs rather than create nuisance for them.
With the crowds coming in for the two events more so the Aero India show which attracts the common public to look at the planes and the live flights and aerobatic shows the villagers of Naqueri-Quitol will have their peaceful lives disturbed with noise pollution from the live trials of the equipment displayed and the risk of accidents at the site. The air shows are more prone to accidents and just the last show at Bangalore had an aircraft crash which if it happens at Naqueri-Quitol will be a risk to innocent lives. Simply put it is easy for those who stay away from the site to say that nothing will happen in terms of the nuisance and risk involved since they do not get affected.
To draw an analogy Parsekar should be asked if he will allow the Sunburn festival to be held in Altinho next to his CM’s bungalow since obviously it benefits Goa. It is also learnt that the costs for holding the DefExpo will be paid for by Goa! Here again we are going the IFFI way where without knowing what money it will bring Goa scarce resources are being thrown away to hold an event which is completely frivolous as far as Goa is concerned. Also the reactions of the industry bodies like GCCI or the Assocham is similar and their support for the event is akin to camp followers who clap at every action of the master be it right or wrong. Their arguments that it will benefit local industry need be taken with a pinch of salt since even if the DefExpo were held elsewhere Goan industry could have visited the event to see the prospects for them. Is Goan industry so lethargic that everything has to be brought to their backyard before they sniff an opportunity.
Concluding holding of any events like the DefExpo the first opinion to be taken is of the locals and only with their assent should matters be taken forward. Is this not the first principle of democracy?
