-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was surprised to read the post on Remo's reactions vis-a-vis IFFI
In many respect it reflects a typical Goan reaction. But who are hurt by Remo's actions? 1. The charitable causes that his donation supported last year and this year if he had participated in the events. 2. The many Goans whose livelihood depends on tourism (conservatively - 30% of Goa's economy). 3. Goan image - that Goa cannot pull-off a national meeting / festival. 4. If the next IFFI is not held, that's Rs- 100 crore less in Goa's economy and the lakhs individual visitors spend during their stay in Goa. The only peeve of Remo that I would agree with is that IFFI exacerbates the garbage problem that Goa has still to resolve. It is NOT the job of the government to provide hospitals to Goans. The same applies to schools. These are consumer-related enterprises that are best left to the private sector (indiviudal and collected Goans) as in the rest of India. I am only pointing this out because Goans always expect someone else to meet their needs and then they complain about the lousy job / service delivered. Ues it is the job f the governemnt ot provide good roads, adequate water adn electricity. But to do so it needs money ani poixe. Wake up Remo and Goans who think like him! The era of a Patrao ani Godfather taking care of Goans is over. And PLEASE do not "cut your nose to spite your face." If one is really annoyed about the ploliticans ruling Goa, the next elections will be comming shortly. Run for the office. That's democracy. Kind Regards, GL News about Remo: In a strident tone directed against the Goa International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the music icon says film festivals are important but so are schools and hospitals. <P>Remo, who slammed his doors on the IFFI by rejecting an offer to perform at Thursday's opening ceremony, has just stopped short of saying 'pack that stuff'. <P>"I am not against IFFI in anyway. But look at the broken benches at Goa's schools and the broken windows of its hospitals. They are in stark contrast to the state-of-the-art Inox theatre showing the films," said Remo, who is staying away from the film fiesta in his state, which has become the permanent IFFI venue this year. <P>The star of such successful albums as 'Goan Crazy!' and 'Pack that Smack', says between last year's IFFI and this year's, the government did nothing to improve the state's infrastructure. <P>"Senior citizens had to walk on the highway between Panaji and Miramar at the risk of their lives because the work on the pavement blocks were not done during the whole year," he says. <P>Remo says while he is not protesting against the IFFI, he wants to look at it on a human scale. "Before you spend on festivals you spend on people. It is about priorities." By hosting an international festival, he says, the authorities have proved that they are capable of doing things though the general perception about the government is that it is incapable of doing anything better. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
