Living in hope

For noted Goan writer Savia Veigas it was
an opportunity to present a list that was close to her heart. She said “The idea
that a government can care for the creative community of the state provides a
lot of hope. I would think more in terms of ground zero. Let’s begin with
museums for children. Programmes for young people where they interact with
writers and artists. Many countries have a Writer in Residence Programme to
allow writers to interact with school children. My novels have been taught in
two universities in America and Portugal but I don’t think it exist as far as
Goa University is concerned. The critique of a writer and painter’s work in his
lifetime is important for the progression of his style, his writing and
painting but that happens in a few cases but not in the majority of others. The
criteria for selection should be excellence not nepotism. Also many writers in
English have contributed greatly to understanding Goa but rigid attitudes allow
only an artist writers by can be recognised in the state.”

Sherise Dsouza who straddles between Goa
and Mumbai her expectation from the new government were modest. She said she
hoped for more initiatives for the creative community to work and earn well as
there has been a lot of loss in creative fields during the last two years when
COVID-19 struck the country. She said “Now, performers, music makers and
producers like me have to make up for lost time in our mission to progress in
our respective fields as well as bring pride to our nation through our creative
works of art”.

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Colin D’Cruz wanted the new government to
recognize music as an industry that supports tourism the backbone of Goa. He
said “Goan musicians, right through history, have been making waves globally
but in Goa they are drowned by waves. Think of any major event like the IFFI,
Lusofonia, BRICS summit and you will see how outstation artistes headline the
event. This must change. Goan musicians are recognized globally but sadly not
in Goa”.

Julius Mesquita a young tiatrist wanted
the industry to start in full swing and wanted the government to support the
cultural activities because otherwise he feared it would all come to an end. He
said “As a member of creative community, my expectations from the New
Government is that, it should consider all the sectors equally while taking
whatever measures it needs to be taken effectively so that it results in a good
positive way. We do not have any great expectations from the new government.
The only thing we expect them to do is resolve problems, in an impartial way,
and help the state come out of the crisis situation. For the past many years,
the state has been facing major problems like unemployment, drug menace, stray
dogs menace, inflation, theft, loot, dacoity, poor infrastructural facilities
like roads, ailing health and education systems, traffic chaos and traffic
jams. We expect the new government to redress these problems on priority”. He
went to point out that the economy of the state was in a shambles. The people
he said expected the new government to take better steps to boost economy. The
government, he felt should not hesitate in taking expert opinion to accomplish
this task. People were suffering due to a rise in the prices of essential goods
and the new government would have to take immediate steps to check inflation.
It was important to improve the education system. New schools, colleges,
especially professional ones, should be opened and education should be provided
at cheaper rates so that it becomes within the reach of poor students. He ended
by saying there was a dire need to make amendments in the employment and
recruitment policy of the state.

Prince Jacob is a seasoned professional in
the world of tiatr. He said “He would like the government give respect to
senior artists in theatre and think about their welfare. They have to think
about the difficulties they face. There are no auditoriums to perform. They have
to be created. Give us places to perform and we will earn and take care of
ourselves.”

Mario Menezes another tiatrists said with
the industry still not having gone back to pre Covid times it was important for
the government to provide assistance. He said that could be done by giving
concession to government halls for tiatrists interested in putting up shows.

The Goan film industry may be minuscule
when compared to the Hindi film industry or even other smaller industries but
it has continuously kept winning awards nationally. Rajendra Talak famed
producer said the government had to just follow up on what they had promised.
Film shooting and other activities had become easier and it is very good once
the policy was cleared. In addition he hoped all the backlog was cleared in
terms of payments of dues.

Meenacshi Martins,
actress however felt much needed to be done. She said “Education in various
performing arts needs to be emphasised and put in place. Sadly neither the
bureaucracy nor the politicians in recent times have arts at the top of their
priority list. Perhaps the newcomers will show interest in making policies for
betterment of the community of artistes, musicians, performing artists,
productions etc. There are so few senior personnel experienced in the field are
included in the decision making process. That gap needs to be bridged. With so
many people from the literary, music and film industry having migrated to Goa,
one was hoping that the old idea of a film City in Goa with production facilities
would be put in place. Let us collectively hope that this new Government paves
a way for a grandeur future for the artiste collective”.

For another young and upcoming actress and
singer, Joanne da Cunha she felt that since musical events had reduced, Goan
musicians had their earnings reduced drastically during Covid. She said “The
Government should sponsor more events, and give private companies incentives to
organise events where good local singers & instrumentalists can perform. In
the field of Goan cinema, Konkani films lack a budget for good production. The
Government has schemes but should revitalise its policies so that more Konkani
productions can be released along the lines of the super hit Nachom-ia
Kumpasar. Lastly, good fashion models should get Government awards, which would
give respectability to this profession and open up more lucrative careers for
young Goan girls. Recognition is its own reward”.

Even if some of the ideas were
implemented, it would make life easier for the industry.