At the recent IFFI closing ceremony I saw many delegates wandering in Panjim, especially in Miramar, eating pao baji and bhel puri.
When I asked them how is it that you guys are here and not at the closing ceremony? They replied before leaving Goa we wanted to look around, do some shopping, taste the Goan food and see the place where the first architect of IFFI in Goa, Manohar Parrikar was cremated. May be they were joking. Luckily, the cremation area, which just few days ago was in a mess full of bushes, is being cleared probably due to upcoming birthday anniversary of the late leader on December 13. Or else this could have created a bad impression for these delegates.
When asked if they enjoyed the Goan atmosphere? They replied that the road from Patto to Miramar via Campal, where the old GMC exists, looked good, with a number of tents on the footpath and Children’s Park well organised with interesting artistic ornaments. They may have wondered why Panjim was selected for an international event when most of Panjim’s roads are in bad shape.
In a letter to the government, I have sought the remove the “white elephant” footbridge, which of no use for the students of Sharada Mandir school.
It is impossible to use because the end of the bridge rests inside the metal sheet enclosure where a project is coming up. This bridge could have been dismantled before the start of this project. In the photos one can see several gaddas serving unhygienic food such as pao baji and bhel on the footpath with chairs and tables and a number of tourist vehicles parked on the road creating traffic congestion. The entrance to Miramar beach has been curtailed due to this aluminium-sheet enclosure starting from the Sulabh toilet area, which has now expanded till the Miramar Circle area.
