---------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Negative attitude may reduce investment flow: foreigners -------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Joaquim Fernandes
The raging controversy over the purchase of land in Goa by foreigners and the accompanying anti-foreigner sentiment may reduce the inflow of valuable foreign exchange and also affect tourism in the state, feel some of the foreigners who have complied with the laws and invested large sums of money in Goa. "We feel disappointed. Instead of being made to feel welcome, everybody is making us feel like we did something wrong," said Mr David, an Englishman, who has bought a bungalow worth Rs 37 lakh in Candolim and has lived there with his wife for the last two years. The Davids are both an extendable visas and intend to live in Goa permanently. They said they had complied with the rules; the Foreign Exchange Management Act, the Reserve Bank of India guidelines and even registered themselves with the local police. "The more people buy in Goa, the more tourism will grow. It will make Goa a more popular destination," said Mr David. The Davids have hired a private tutor to teach them Hindi. The answer to why foreigners want to settle in Goa is largely the same. "Lovely people, beautiful weather, comparatively low cost of living because of the relative big difference between the English pound and the Indian rupee," said another Englishman, William (name changed). A retired fire-officer from London, he bought land and built his house in Candolim. He lives there with his wife (and four cats) for the last about three-and-half years. "We do not run a business," said William. "We only spend. We invest a lot of lakhs in this country every month. We get no income from India. What worries me is the amount of anti-foreigner sentiment that has been generated because of the controversy. It is wrong to lump all foreigners together." He said billions of English pounds are pouring into Goa because foreigners are buying property here. But the fear factor could cause a downslide, he said. Unlike Mr David, who said that no one had yet bothered him, William said he had been called some vile names in Goa. But he was certain that it was only "a small two per cent who are whipping up this sentiment". He said he loved Goa and India. "I have more Goan friends than British friends," said Mr John Gibb Kelly, a retired Scotsman, who has lived in Calangute for the last three years. He is now financing the construction of a 16-bungalow resort in Siolim estimated to cost over Rs 1 crore. Said Mr Kelly, "Millions of Indians and Pakistanis are in the UK. They buy property, homes, businesses, etc. They have the money, they buy. There are no restrictions. In fact, one of the most successful businessmen in the UK is Mr Mittal, the steel tycoon." Similar sentiments were expressed by William who said he can never aspire to have a voice in Indian politics, be it the panchayat or the Parliament, while Indians were enjoying the privilege in the UK. Mr Kelly was empathic that if any foreigners have wilfully violated the laws while buying land in Goa, they should be punished along with the local persons who have sold them the land. Mr Kelly said that his project has employed lots of Goan workmen and once complete, will offer jobs to more Goan youth. He explained the present controversy philosophically. "When the hippies first came to Goa and you started renting rooms to them, it was inevitable that Goa would change. When a change like that happens, the old values go and new values take their place. You can't turn back the clock. You got to take the bad with the good. Tourism changes a place irrevocably," said Mr Kelly. Though the controversy has touched a raw nerve, the foreigners are not running away yet. But if there was anything untoward, any incident of violence, it could "wreck the market" as William put it. It would be bad if Goa were to lose all the foreigners and their contribution to the local economy, he said. --------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 19/7/06 page 1 --------------------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ======================================= -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.1/391 - Release Date: 7/18/2006 _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
