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I visited the Island of Diwar for the second time this year in August, for the Bonderam festival. The first was a very brief visit on a hot summer afternoon in 2000, on a photography excursion to the famed temple ruins along with noted historian Prajal Sakardande and a friendly team of budding photographers, Neelima, John Menezes, Arvind, Derek Sequeira, Anupama, Frederick Noronha and many more. The Trip to Dwar was a pleasant experience, the ferry crossing watching the fisherfolk on basket-type of boats, toiling to make ends meet in stark contast to our corrupt politicians and bureuacrats plundering every nook and corner of Goa. End August-September by far is the best time to be in Goa, its cool & the weather is pleasant, with plenty of greenery, not too may tourists, less traffic and cheaper commodities. The Island of Diwar was basking greenery, crystal clear ponds and beuatiful church amidst swaying palms in the background. I was amazed to see such a clean environment, as on my journey to the island I witnessed the mayhem and degradation of the capital city Panjim and its surroundings, particurlarly the mangroves, the life-lungs of the capital turning out to be a fly-tippers haven, where all sorts of garbage and concrete rubble is dumped and it won't be long before the water turns foul and stinks as in Mahim or at the Thane bridge in Bombay. Driving down to the venue of the festivities, I was surprised to see a number of migrants tramping down the road, as there was hardly any sign of construction activity on the island. The Bonderam festival organised on the 22nd of August by the people of St Mathias was a superbly organised event, every float had an authentic Goan flavour,with no sponsorships from anyone. It was very pleasing to see both the major communities partaking in the event. I would like to single out a friend, Mario Fernandes a UK citizen who was one of the main organiser and who is now residing in Diwar since the last five years doing a great service to the local community, unlike some of our Goans who grace Goan functions make tall promises of preserving Goa, its people and culture get washed down with thier after dinner & wine speech. I realise its late writing this article, but lets hope that the organisers for the forthcoming Carnival festivities take a leaf ouot of the Bonderam festival. On my way home along the narrow winding road, past the old tavernas, the scent of the rice fields, the smell of cooking on the woodfire, reminded me twenty years of what Goa was. The Island of Diwar is still not bridged to the mainland and I've heard the community is divided on the issue, debates have been raging, I'm not in favour of the bridge, as it will mar the ambience, though I symphatise with the Islanders who have to commute daily, they're having to pay exhorbitant fares on the ferry and are facing hardships during the mansoons, but then there will be a price to pay when the rapacious builders turn this haven into a concrete jungle in no time. No resolutions then to keep the Island green will hold, as the sleazy bureaucrats with thier fascist attitude will have thier ways and means using loopholes or a heavy hand as being witnessed in the Konkan Railway, Meta Strips or the Mopa airport issues. Will the community leaders of Diwar and the politicians please resolve this issue sensibly ? Percy Ferrao Ealing Road.