Concrete Tourism Policy needed
Savio Pinto, Nagoa
“The buzz is around that the Russians have fallen in love with Goa.” And besides the facts that they indulge in illegal activities by running businesses instead of just enjoying Goan hospitality, the locals have been hosting them with delight. Everyone dealing with them would definitely argue that they too have every right to do their business. But the game of love has gone sour and somewhere and somehow all the “corridors of power” have been found napping.
So, should we blame it on Goans who meekly surrender themselves to the lust and greed of making some quick bucks or should we blame the Russians who are opening the illegal business ventures in Goa at will in connivance of the locals?
Whatever reasons may be the State government seems to have lost its senses to protect and safeguard the interest of Goa and Goans. The government is to be blamed for the current mess due to the invasion of Russians in our coastal belts.
Goa has been lacking basic tourism policy for a long time, which has been going on a trial basis every year. So the ‘crooks’ have taken every advantage of the loopholes in our system. And even after two decades of flourishing tourism trade in Goa, we still lack the basic tourism policy, and thus have invited innumerable problems. The open arms policy of the government has backfired and it will be very difficult to get away with these foreigners. Many will argue that due to Russians, the tourism industry has survived until date, but the million dollar question is that the Russians have driven away most of the other Europeans from Goa, some of whom have been predicting that Goa will be finished by the Russians. As Goa is already feeling the pinch, another bad season, (God forbid) will have devastating effects.
It’s a different question as to why most of the Europeans dislike Russians, but the fact is that they don’t like mere presence of them. And this is a hard fact which will be hard to digest in the corridors of powers. The police nexus with the drug peddlers has been long flourishing in the State and rest of the tales are best told by the coastal villagers who stumble upon all such characters.
We urgently need a concrete Tourism Policy which should be the guiding force on a long term strategy and not mere lip service, which only serves the interests of the individuals to “grab and loot” as much as possible within stipulated time. Why can’t the Government rope in some professional consultants to draw up a futuristic Tourism Policy for Goa?
Today, Goans are crying for good governance and it’s unbelievable to see how the sons of the soil masquerade as the saviours of Goa, are merely trampling upon the rights and needs of the niz Goenkars.
Instead of working overtime on drawing board to pen the future course of action to protect tourism industry, the Government is busy running helter skelter to protect their chairs. Never in the history of Goa had we witnessed the stupidity of our “dishonorable” elected representatives who have shown their true colours of just “looting and plundering” Goa at the cost of development.
+++++
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Excitement short-lived!
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
I was excited to read the news that the internationally acclaimed Christian vocalist and musician Don Moen would be performing in India for the very first time. But then my excitement was short-lived because the Gospel singer would not be performing in Goa but in Mumbai, Chennai and Shillong. After watching the show by the gospel group “Hillsongs” recently at Kala Academy Goans I would have loved to watch a live show by Don Moen. If possible “Heritage Jazz”, a supporter of the Don Moen concert, could impress on ‘The Friendship Circle’ who reportedly are the organizers of the Don Moen India Tour, to include a show in Goa in its’ itinerary.
River Princess – rise up!
Augustus Alphonso, Vasco-da-Gama
The State government has delayed the removal of the grounded ‘River Princess’ near Sinquerim beach and there’s a lot of confusion and cheap gossip regarding the issue. Newspapers keep reporting about this man-made disaster and only blame-game has become a hot topic. Now, it is known to the public via newspapers that an experienced mariner — Virendra Jagannath Mehta, who believes that this vessel can be easily refloated without cutting it. I sincerely and personally feel that he should be given a chance as his ‘idea’ seems to be the most effective one till date.
Obscene hoarding
S Kamat, Alto Betim
There is a huge hoarding opposite the Hotel Neo Majestic on the NH17 to Panjim advertising the Amul Macho brand of men’s underwear with two models showing off the company product and much more.
If I recall correctly there was a stricture sometime back that hoardings abutting the national highways should be at least 40 metres away from the edge of the road and that the display should not be obscene and/or distract motorists. On both counts the Amul Macho hoarding infringes the rules and should be removed forthwith. I also wonder why our women’s organisations in Goa who are generally quite active and were in the forefront when women’s lingerie hoardings were put up and on their initiative were removed are not saying anything about the Amul Macho hoarding.
Is Fire Dept No 1?
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
It has become a habit to rate anything or everything as number one, earlier Chief Minister Digambar Kamat rated the state as number one among all other States of India, at least at certain counts. This has been going on and on, for most of our ministers expressing it during their speeches.
In a speech, we understand the Home Minister Mr Ravi Naik, declared the Fire Services as number one department in the State, that means it comes after all other departments from his Government including his own Home Dept. Now praising it, as number one has become a style of functioning of the Government.
Director of Fire Emergency Services Mr Ashok Menon said on Fire Service Day celebrations that there is a necessity in near future to acquire the latest gadgets to fight the fire fighting in quick manner since their present vehicles are of larger size and outdated, and cannot reach the site quickly and he expresses the need to have sophisticated latest equipments and technology which is already existing in other parts of India and the world.
When such type of drawback exists in the Fire Services, I wonder how the rating could be number one?
Arundhati must be tried for sedition
SND Poojary, Miramar
Arundhati Roy’s is reported to have said, “India has never hesitated to use her military might to annex land and put down popular movements — Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Hyderabad and Goa are examples.’ Ms Roy is questioning the very existence of India as a sovereign nation, while residing and enjoying the fruits of the nation state.
Her statements tantamount to declaring war against the Indian Nation and she must be tried for sedition. Thousands of freedom fighters and security personnel had sacrificed their lives to preserve the unity and integrity of the nation. By her above statements she has insulted all the freedom fighters and men in uniform. She has been uttering such preposterous statements in the past; she had just escaped being jailed by the Supreme Court for her “malicious” remarks on Supreme Court. If she is so aggrieved by India as a nation, she could seek asylum to some other country, and live happily in the adopted country.
Speed breakers
Aureo Cunha Gomes, Mapusa
The speed breakers, rumblers installed at various sites in Bardez taluka need to be given a coating of oil paint, either white or yellow with phosphorescence that can be seen at nights. The absence of this poses great risks to two-wheelers especially who many at times, speed without gauging speed limits. The accidents could be fatal due to self-inflicted injuries.
It is my earnest appeal to the authorities concerned to take up this issue on a priority basis to avoid occurrence of such accidents
