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5th Annual Konkan Fruit Fest
Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panaji, Goa
16-18, May 2008
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-May/073789.html
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I am always curious that our brave Goan brethren (and sisters) in Britain who
always have brave words for Goans across the world, suddenly loose their spine
when in comes to fighting for their own rights in their own land. Then, they
are more into "job security" and like "billos" (kittens) they tow the British
line.
For starters, Eddie Fernandes should apologize to Goans for selecting the title
of this thread. Kudos to Ms. Savage, this was not a title selected by her
letter. The tile has no relevance to Ms.. Savage's issues with Goa / India.
To address Ms. Savage's point: I wish British Goans pointed out to Ms. Savage,
that unlike Mr. and Mrs.. Savage, who are tourists owning property in a foreign
land, contrary to the local / national laws, the 60,000 Goans in Britain are
British citizens exercising their national birthright. (Hope those Goans have
one). Hence to drag British Goans into her dilemma is most unfortunate and
silly (being polite).
To compare apples to apples, Ms. Savage and her husband could do like so many
immigrants and permanent settlers do - give up their British citizenship and
take up Indian citizenship.
Or more logically the Savages could sell their Goan property at fair market
value and look upon their investment in Goa as that - a holiday investment. Are
they planning to leave this world with their properties, stocks, shares and
other assets? Countries protecting their national assets and forcing
foreigners (individuals or corporations) to divest is a well established
practice. That is the risk of foreign investment.
The Savages would be ahead if they thanked native Goans for their generosity
during their stay in Goa; and the British Goans for introducing her to Goa.
Even Scarlet's mother had the good sense to take that approach.
Regards, GL
---------- JOHN MONTEIRO
My answer to this is NO, this couple who abided by all the rules, purchased a
house, renovated it (& the land attached to it, I believe was a "garden") but
then after EIGHT years were told they would no longer qualify for this 5-year
rolling visa, but instead be offered 6-monthly visas & their house would be
confiscated & then auctioned off.
My answer to this remains NO, they have not been treated well, at all.
------------ Eddie Fernandes wrote:
We know Goa has become a toilet thanks the photos from Rajan and JoeGoaUk. I
would like to know if those who are critical of the expat investment in Goa,
and that includes FN, Floriano and Jane Rodrigues, have read Michelle Savage's
article. Also, could they please let us know if they feel that she is being
treated fairly.
------------ Michelle Savage letter see
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3950&cid=13
Now MLAs are openly saying that properties purchased by foreigners will be
confiscated and auctioned. We sadly decided to leave Goa, but were informed
that we could not sell our property. Our builder, who has enjoyed our patronage
for years, has said that he will deal with all the paperwork if we sell the
house to him for the initial purchase price (excluding what we paid him). My
husband has become quite ill from all the stress, and we are now back in the UK
so that he can be treated for the illness this has brought on.
While we are here, I will asking the UK government to put in place a reciprocal
arrangement whereby propertyies of Goan settlers in the UK are confiscated and
the country’s 60,000 Goan immigrants are forced to return to India.We want to
say that we wished we had never heard of Goa and had never visited India. The
whole experience makes me want to constantly cry, and I have been prescribed
anti-depressants, something that never happened in the past. I would make a
sincere plea to the authorities in Goa. We haven’t done anything wrong. Let us
sell our legally purchased property and we guarantee we will come back again.
