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Sachin Phadte: It is not only a question about the Rs 1 crore being spent. It is also "To accommodate the pilgrims, the government plans to take over 47 schools around Old Goa. The exposition commissioner said they aim to offer boarding and packaged meals for 50 rupees (a little over US$1) a night." Wonder what will happen to the education of the children during this period. I also read the following: "For people of other religions and other Christian denominations visiting the exposition, Church officials plan to screen a 20-minute film on peace and communal harmony." What kind of film will be shown to the Catholics? Gilbert Lawrence responds: Hi Sachin: Good questions. Congratulations for reading the GoaNet posts in such great detail. I am not sure about the government spending one crore rupees for the religious exposition per se. More likely the allocated amount is for increased (over-time) security, traffic control, transportation etc. This Rs. 1 crore (spent) is peanuts to the amount of tax-revenue the Goan government will be raking-in for the once in ten-year event that will bring into Goa 1.5 million tourists. Are the Goan free-enterprisers ready? To the other comments: Do you or anyone know if there are 47 public BOARDING schools (not just schools) AROUND Old Goa? If so this would be news as in the 1960's, the whole of Goa had only about 5 private boarding schools. Who are the boarders (out of town residents) who reside in these boarding schools during the entire year? Can any one help? Is this boarding ani tea-bair packaged meal for Rs. 50/- a reality or is it PR? Whatever works.... to get the crowds! Goenkars who would spend overnight at Old Goa for the pilgrimage may likely bring their own tiffin with the Ponos ani Shendri.:=)) Old habits die hard.:=)) Personally, I think eating and lodging should have been best reserved for the private sector. And the govt. should spend its resources coordinating their activities by having a computerized reservation system for low-budget accommodation ani tea-bair geon. But nobody asked for my opinion. :=)) God bless the poor, for His kingdom in heaven is theirs. And in all sincerity, God bless the politicians who think of the poor. As far as showing the film on 'peace and harmony' to the Catholics too, arre baba how much more 'peace ani harmony' do you want the church (starting with the Pope) to shove down our throats? Do you have other suggestions what the church could offer the non-Christians, who come for the religious part of the exposition, to contemplate? If pilgrimage is a religious revival, I think a 'peace and harmony movie' with a visit to the Goencho Saib (for favors and/ or thanks) would be a good revival for non-Catholics visiting Old Goa. Regards, Gilbert
