Gilbert Lawrence writes: If the govt spends money on restoring these historical monuments, the same folks (Goans included) would loath the govt in TOI editorials on spending money on unnecessary projects.
Comment: Do you really expect that people who have all studied about the Taj Mahal from elementary school and know it’s importance will grudge an authority that maintains and keeps it for future generations? Preservation is not a project Gilbert, any more than is maintaining old records in a manner that makes it available for future reference. Gilbert Lawrence: And perhaps the govt should spend the money on better and more utilitarian projects, for the good of the people, like fixing their local potholes and building indoor toilets. Comment: This is called “Whataboutism”. There’s no dearth of injustices around the world. But just when you tackle one proverbial elephant, up pops this logical fallacy: “What about that other bit here, what about that bit there?” (An argument from the Toronto Star). Gilbert Lawrence: Perhaps what Goa and India needs are "Historical Societies" of people who appreciate history and are dedicated to its preservation. Preserving history involves more than talking and writing about it. India can use innovative ideas for fund raising and promoting its assets. We have got to get-off blaming the govt and doing somethings ourselves. Comments: Sure Doutor. People will do more than talking and writing. They may even form Historical Societies as you suggested and take on the task that needs to be done. But perhaps before you ask them to dig into their shallow pockets, you should chide the government that charges substantial fees to tourists and other visitors for up-keeping the monument. In fact you can use your persuasion and tell the Govt that if it can’t do what it is taking money for, than it can hand over those large and continuous sums to any number of Historical Societies that will spring up once they know funding is not their main headache. While at it, you can ask Narendra Modi why he did not use the 300 crore rupees he spent on all the foreign trips he made in the last 4 years (latest news item) for “fixing potholes and building indoor toilets”. The friendship he established with Trump did not do him any good for the import taxes and Iran Oil Blockade that he foisted on India (sorry no waivers). Roland Francis Scarborough.
