Hi Jose [1] In your somewhat cynical subject title and post content, there is a marked fatalism that, what is possible on the toilet front (with some education and enforceable rules) the world over is not viable in Goa.
[2] But I also detect that the reason for your stance is that you are fearful of much entrepreneurial development taking place in Goa. [3] There are those who DO WANT to see modernisation and development (including the airports) in Goa and believe that such developmemt can be controlled and managed. [4] over gated development that shuts ordinary people out and I absolutely detest. == Good afternoon Cornel, If you consider realism as being equal to fatalism, I can only wish you well. But perhaps you will explain, albeit on another day HOW one provides the "some education" you talk about when the problem is one which involves migrants from impoverished areas and when the in-migration is both continuous and uncontrolled. Europe has a similar problem though to a lesser degree with the itinerants (aka Gypsies). With all the advances of law enforcement and funding ....How well do you believe Europe has managed with the Gypsies? What would a the town of (say) Chatham in Kent do, for instance IF a thousand plus NEW itinerants came into Chatham and just squatted on (say) Crown land? That is the position in Goa ....only ....much of the land is privately held land.....which according to Indian law and the so called Mundcar law of Goa (Thank you Shashikala Kakodkar) can quite easily become the land of the squatting migrants. I am definitely NOT against development. But hey ....look at what I have seen happening in this part of the world - in islands with small populations, few resources and the need for outside funds. They have allowed the development of their land gradually and strictly. They had three provisos to the land development: 1: Govt held land (Crown land) is only LEASED to "bhaille'. A similar to the Indian High Commission building in London - which returns/returned to the Crown after the lease expires/expired. (Do not know if the situation changed during Tony Blair's regime) 2: Private land can be sold to "bhaille" but building codes and designs are strictly enforced. If you ever happen to visit the new developments in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Provo (in the Turks Islands), Antigua and in Paradise Island (Bahamas) ...you would know what I mean. 3: The high end jobs would be reserved for qualified locals BTW: In many of these places .... Several Town Hall meetings are held - and the public are invited to express themselves and demand changes and safeguards....BEFORE the projects are approved. What is happening in Goa is ridiculous! In closing I must say that I have nothing against Gated communities - as long as they are held on private land and do NOT block access to public roads or beaches. Private individuals have every right to fence of their property and place a gate to it. If you know of any ethical or legal reasons to justify your "detesting of gated communities", please do enlighten ( at least me) sincerely jc
