Goanetters annual year-end meet is on Dec 27, 2010 (Monday) from 4-6 pm at
Institute Piedade (near Hotel Mandovi, opp Bread & More) in Panjim. Do come
along. RSVP via SMS 9822122436, [email protected] or 2409490 (after 2 pm).
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Floriano:
Best wishes to you and your family, in this holy season of joy.
About your message below, I think we are chasing the wrong bull. Here
are my comments:
1. Noise pollution: Is it a regular feature – daily? Monthly? Or
once in a blue moon? There are rules about noise etc in place in Goa,
and it is up to the authorities concerned to ensure that while
permissions are given, they are released with the condition that the
program closes down by a certain fixed time. As is done with the many
dances held at Carnival, Christmas and the New year in Goa. In this
instance, as per the news article in the Times of India, the organisers
have stated, and I quote: “We can promise that we won't break any laws
whether it is the 10 pm deadline or in terms of licenses. We believe
that we are adding to the Goan economy, from employment at the fest to
filling up hotels and restaurants around the venue."
2. Drugs: In which era are you living mate? Drugs are available
everywhere to those who seek it. There may be a few cases of
unscrupulous dealers making an appearance at the festival as is the case
anywhere crowds do gather. Do you know about drugs being sold during
the feast of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa? Do you want to cancel that
feast too, because drugs are sold in the fair? It is the responsibility
of the Police to ensure that due policing is enforced. Are the
organisers selling drugs? I don’t think so, however, if they are, then
it is another story altogether.
3. Garbage clearance: Have the organisers been given permission
with the condition that they are responsible to clear the garbage?
Garbage is the responsibility of the local panchayats or municipality,
and that responsibility cannot be just palmed off to the organisers, who
will be paying requisite fees charged by the local authorities to put up
the show. And those fees should be designed to cover these
eventualities like garbage etc. This year there were reports of garbage
strewn at Old Goa on the feast of St Francis Xavier. So will the church
have to organise for garbage clearance in the future? If that is the
stand that Goa Suraj is going to take, forget about the elections mate!
You will get nowhere.
4. Cost of the ticket: The organisers know which is the audience
they have targeted for their show, and have accordingly put up their
tariff. If you cannot afford to pay Rs10,000.00, then don’t go. If
nobody can afford to pay that amount, then this will be the last year
this show is held. Your problem solved!
Let us not just object to any and every thing. Some things may be good,
some may not. Music is something good, and Goans do have music running
through their veins. Let our Goans enjoy the show. Issues like the
above are to be tackled with the authorities who fail Goans and not the
organisers of the show who are promoting something good. [I believe
music is good]. Have you forgotten the good old days when young and old
thronged to Calangute beach for the Simla Beat Contests? This is
similar, albeit on a different level altogether.
I would conclude saying that just because your government has failed
you, do not penalise Goans and the organisers who are trying to put up a
good show. Instead of problems, come up with solutions!
Salus Correia
