Where this money come from? No bus owner will take us for a ride for FREE even if the buses were running on water instead of diesel or petrol On public transport, we pay about Rs.21 (Rs.26 by shuttle) for a distance say 32KMS Which means, Rs.42 /52 for a return journey (City transport add Rs.10) For a similar distance (33+33), some weeks ago, I hired a 35 seater bus for Rs.3000 to ferry people to and from Old Goa (year before that I paid Rs.2,500 to cover about 25+25Km distance).
Now, let’s come straight to the point. Rallies: It’s seems organising a Rally has become an expensive affair. Previously organised rally, there was a mail doing round in the forums frequented by NRIs, soliciting or suggesting at least Rs.1 lac for hiring of buses alone. Going by the trends in Goa, I see that people join rallies ‘only if there is a free transport’ Besides, many will also see what else is in offer e.g. snacks, entertainment, Free money etc As for the politician organised rallies be it a meeting, a party convention or show of strength thing etc there are reports that some politicians pay upto Rs.15,000 to whoever organises a bus full of people. Min. Capacity bus being of 32 seater (all seats need not be occupied) and that the organiser out of his 15K will pay for the bus hire plus Rs.100 per person ferried by the bus. All other things like refreshment etc borne by the politicians. Ok, let us take for example, the most recent rally. Lots of figures put forward be it in the press or internet that the gathered crowed was around 15,000. Some says 18, 000, some said 20,000 +, where as some say around 40,000 and yet many even said 50,000. As said, anything that is above 18,000 was simply impracticable given the size of the venue and it outskirts. So, in our example, to be on a fairer side, let’s take it as 16,000. Let us also assume that: - Average people per bus 35 (upto 7 buses originated from one place or village) - Average charges per bus hire Rs.3,000 (bearing in mind buses come from Mandrem, Sanqlim, Asolna and beyond) Now, using simple arithmetic, i.e. 15,500 divide by 35 gives about 443 buses. Then multiply it by 3000 which will give Rs. 13,29,000 Besides, there are other regular expenses like free bottled water supply, stage and sound system, Chairs, advertisements and publicity etc etc So, where this Rs.15 lacs come from? The question may sounds stupid or irrelevant, but I just want to know the source and what it takes to organise a rally etc May be I am also thinking of organising a massive rally on another issue. Note: Not really trying be a controversial but lot has to learn from this as to what it takes, how it takes to organise a rally now a days including that of our people’s changed mindset Note: Taken 500 off from 16K assuming that-many made it there by using their own means transport [email protected] for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ For Goan Video Clips http://youtube.com/joeukgoa In Goa, Dial 1 0 8 For Hospital, Police, Fire etc
