To Goanet - I was at the Basilica in Old Goa today evening on a photo shoot of that monument. I had acquired advance "permission" from the ASI chief at Old Goa to use the tripod within the premises. Fortunately he is a kindly sort and did not make any issue out of my request. An uncouth Dilliwallah in his place would have pulled rank. After all, the prevailing Indian ethos is: How best can we stop you from getting from point A to point B? A true Indian always has the nagging fear that someone somewhere might do some good work (to adapt a quote from Bertrand Russell).
Even after securing "permission," there were all kinds of useless busybodies on the site to contend with, each wanting to know if I had "permission." These were all folk who had absolutely no business being nosey, but this is India, and intruding in someone else's business is our birthright. I finished with the external shoot. It is probably the first time that the Basilica was photographed with a Tilt-Shift lens in the digital era (it helps in perspective correction within the camera itself - i.e. you don't get converging lines normally seen in all shots). Then I wanted to do a shoot of the altar inside. Layer number 2: Father's "permission" required, said the attendant. ASI "permission" was apparently necessary but not sufficient. Clearly the Lord was on my side for the Father-in-charge quickly obliged. In passing, let us note that if you want to - (a) spit, piss or shit by the Basilica fence - no permission required (please confirm with ghatis). (b) litter to your heart's content within the Basilica premises - no permission required. (c) talk loudly, be crass, and be a nuisance - no permission required anywhere in India. Regards, r
