No.: 72 of 2004. 30th March 2004
To. Shri S. K. Mishra, I.A.S. (Retd.) Chairman, INTACH, 71, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110 003. Dear Sir, This is to congratulate you for being elected as Chairman of the INTACH. One of the immediate tasks you could possibly take up is to prevent the Government of Goa from destroying the age old ambience, old buildings and structures under the name of infrastructure built up for the proposed International Film Festival of India. The old structures which might be more than 150 years old not necessarily declared as heritage buildings have been already pulled down. More than century old trees are being razed to the ground in the name of development. Shekar Kapoor, a member of the IFFI Committee, who had come to Goa to select the venue for the IFFI, observed that the Campal area, having a Latin-quarters atmosphere, with broad avenues flanked by rain trees, with its quaint ambience was the most ideal venue for IFFI. The gung-ho Chief Minister of Goa (a member of the RSS), has plans to build four-lane highways, multiplexes, new bridges on the river, etc. in the name of building up infrastructure for the IFFI. The proposed infrastructure will surely destroy the heritage of Campal area the reason for which this area was chosen for the film festival. I do not know how effective INTACH can be to save rain trees, old roads, old buildings, old river fronts, etc. in Panjim. The local residents, under the flag of Peoples Movement for Civic Action are agitating against this reckless building spree of the Government. Can INTACH intervene with the Film Festival Directorate in Delhi and stop this mad adventuresome of the Goa Chief Minister ? Goa Government had hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government meet (CHOGM) in 1983, practically utilising the existing infrastructure. Additions and alterations were done without affecting the existing ambience. Thanking you, Yours sincerely, SD/- A.P. Bhatikar I.A.S.(Retd.) Member of PMCA Chairman, Nitoll Jinn Trust (Clean Life Trust) C.C. To. Shri Ramesh Chandra, Member Secretary, INTACH ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
