------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------- NGOs for postponement of film festival by a year --------------------------------------------------------------- Voicing displeasure over hurriedly taking up various projects for hosting the International Film Festival of India in Goa, the participants in the interface programme with the state government officials suggested postponement of festival by one year so that all necessary infrastructure could be build.
The non-governmental organisations also demanded that the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation, which is the premier agency creating the infrastructure projects be brought under the purview of the Goa State Information Act.
The NGO representatives grilled the authorities over keeping Goan architects away from the IFFI-related projects and asked how architects from outside the state, engaged in the projects, would be able to give Goan ambiance to the projects being created, especially the multiplex.
Organised by the Jaycess Zone XI at the Institute Menezes Braganza Hall, here, this morning, the representatives of the NGOs said that they are not opposed to holding IFFI in Goa but expressed displeasure over hurriedly taking up the projects. They felt that the government could build the necessary infrastructure by taking the people into confidence and hold the IFFI next year instead of hurriedly completing the projects.
The GSIDC, an agency engaged in creation of infrastructure projects, has displayed models of few projects and also gave presentation on infrastructure that are being created.
The state government team led by the secretary (information), Ms Jayashree Raghuraman and the managing director of GSIDC, Mr Rajiv Sen explained about the infrastructure projects being created in Panaji.
While Mr Mangesh Prabhugaonkar gave a presentation on the renovation of Kala Academy's complex and explained about how effective IFFI-guideline could be planned at the complex.
During the interface, the NGOs representatives, Ms Patricia Pinto, Mr Anand Madgaonkar and Mr Rajan Narayan led the protest by posing a volley of questions to the government authorities. Ms Pinto demanded that the festival needs to be postponed for one more year so that all necessary infrastructure could be completed.
Ms Pinto said in spite of being the councillor of the Corporation of the City of Panaji, she was kept in dark over the ongoing projects in city. Besides, she said the mayor, Mr Ashok Naik was also unaware about what was happening in the city.
Ms Raghuraman replying to a point raised Ms Pinto informed that the mayor was one of the member on infrastructure core committee while the commissioner, Mr Sanjeet Rodrigues was nodal officer of the IFFI-related projects. She solicited the cooperation of the people for completing projects and assured to provide all information.
Stating that the IFFI would be a big boon to Goa, Ms Raghuraman said it would help to attract investment and boost tourism. She also explained how Delhi was developed after the Asiad held in in 1982. She said Cannes was not developed overnight, but over a period of 56 years and added that states like Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are eyeing on IFFI due to the commercial angle of the project. However, she said the international community prefers holding the IFFI in Panaji due to the similarity of Cannes and Panaji, as both cities are situated on river bank. Ms Raghuraman urged the people to cooperate to make IFFI success.
Mr Rajiv Sen clarifying on a point that Goans were being kept in the dark said that the GSIDC had recently kept all drawings and models of IFFI-related projects at the GSIDC office for public viewing but very few people turned up to seek information. He expressed confidence that all IFFI-related projects would be completed by mid-November.
The engineer, Mr Raghunath Dhume, one of the panelist said that though the CHOGM held in 1982 lasted for two days but this had helped the entire coastal belt to develop. He said the IFFI would help in the development of Panaji city.
Mr Prabhugaonkar in his presentation on Kala Academy's renovation plan explained how the renovation and restoration work will help the academy after the film festival. The Kala Academy will have most advanced screening facilities with DVD projection system and it will also have state-of-the-art services of air-conditioning, fire fighting and acoustic system as per international standard. The riverside restaurant of the Kala Academy will be upgraded to cater to more than 1,000 people.
Mr Anand Madgaonkar suggested the need of transparency in preparing the estimates and finance availability to construct the projects. Besides, he also questioned as to how these funds would be recovered after the film festival.
Earlier, the Jaycees Zone XI president, Mr Pravin Sabnis welcomed the gathering, while Mr John Silveira moderated. --------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 31/5/04 page 1 ---------------------------------------------
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