Panjim mayor and historian Prajal Sakhardande, share their views

HERALD: As the CCP Mayor, what is the stance on the need to preserve our heritage and action taken in that respect?

SURENDRA FURTADO: There is definitely a need to protect, preserve and maintain our rich heritage across the city of Panjim and steps for this have to be planned and executed with priority. While the CCP has been kept in the dark regarding to the heritage plans by the government, if the CCP was looking after this, I would propose the creation of a holistic plan to address this issue.

HERALD:Can you elaborate on the proposed plans that you would recommend?

SF: For instance, areas in Panjim such as Fontainhas, Mala, Boca da Vaca, Campal, Altinho, MG road would be identified. These areas are good spots for tourism as well and there are good restaurants, cafes, home-stays and other establishments.  There should be Azulejos used as boards to identify these areas with proper names and directions. Then on a periodic basis, heritage houses would be given support such as repainting or replastering. From a larger point of view, like the Pink City of Rajasthan, the city of Panjim should be given a similar treatment with the appropriate colours and themes and other similar initiatives. We should have cobblestone pavements like they have in Rome.

H: What are your views on cultural events that are aimed at promoting our heritage?

SF: There are many things that can be done to promote our heritage among locals and tourists alike, the old Fontainhas art festivals. The opposition to these festivals by freedom fighters was unwarranted as in other places in India, there is the Red Fort or the Victoria Terminus that are marvelled for their architecture and are a big part of the tourism even though they were built by the British. Why then should these festivals be opposed when it helps promote and put the heritage culture on the world map?

H: What should the government be doing to help preserve the city’s heritage?

SF: Panjim should be considered as a top heritage destination in the country and world and adequate support has to be given in this area and the views of the locals living in these areas along with the CCP needs to be taken into confidence. The government should also look at taking action on local issues like cleaning of the creek that has been pending for years, which would surely given uplift to the image of the city.

HERALD: You have actively pursued various campaigns to help preserve Panjim’s heritage. Do you think enough is being done and what needs to be done?

PRAJAL SAKHARDANDE: Panjim should b declared Heritage city of India. Laced by the Mandovi, Panjim’s natural heritage, her historicity and heritage character needs to be preserved and it cannot be tampered with in the name of the Smart City concept. We request the government not to play with our beautiful town. Panjim is unique and we want her to be so. Panjim has some of the most quaint spaces, including her Fontainhas Mala precinct ,the rain tree avenue of Campal , the little Campal beach head, her gardens, her promenade along the Mandovi, her Altinho hill crown, the church square and her wonderful palaces like the historic Adil Shah’s palace ,the Maquinez palace, the Archbishop’s palace ,the Cabo palace, etc.

H: Can you walk through activities, NGOs and other groups had done in this regard?

PS: We at the Goa Heritage Action Group had brought about a book titled “Walking in and Around Panaji” released in 2005. We had documented around 700 heritage buildings monuments street furniture, etc of Panjim. We had launched successful campaigns to save Campal heritage rain trees on March 17, 2002; the Massano de Amorim heritage complex in 2004; Adil Shah’s palace; old GMC Campal heritage precinct and Fontainhas and several others. We had organised six editions of Fontainhas Festival of the Arts plus Campal and Massano de Amorim heritage festivals.

H: What are your demands from the government?

PS: We appeal to the government not to demolish the Praca de Commercio heritage building. Similarly we will prevail upon the government to preserve the beautiful historic heritage building of Massano de Amorim and oppose any plans to demolish the same. We had requested the Mayor to introduce garbage policing and fine garbage offenders. We appeal to the government not to touch our heritage trees while the St Inez creek heritage needs to be taken up by the government on priority basis

H: What about efforts to help support heritage homes?

PS: We have already lost out on old houses of Panjim. The government must reactivate the heritage house scheme which we had helped the government to design in 2004. Our Panjim belongs to us Ponjekars and we are proud of our beautiful city.