Soter Commented: Leave aside the media, do the Goa miners and builders not control the literary and activist circles and so claimed intelligensia of Goa? The miners and builders decide who will rule Goa, isn't it? While Vedanta's mining will get world wide publicity for its impact on Goa, the filth of other culprits will be swept under the carpet and projected as philantrophists. How many of the elite activists will boycott a social function if the mining lobby is present or hosting it? These will be claimed to be two different issues, isn't it? Let us continue to celebrate in a fools paradise called Goa. As the bible says, "How would it benefit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"
Carmen's comment: The initiative to speak about mining in Goa at Goa Global Convention was precisely to expose the impact of all mining in Goa, the legal and illegal, the illegalities of the legal who now we find are in fact also illegal, and to dispel the myths regarding the "benefits of mining to Goa". You can continue to celebrate " in a fools paradise called Goa" if that is what you want to do. But I will meanwhile try my best to let at least the entire Goan community worldwide (including Goa) know about the impact of all mines in Goa and not only of Vedanta. Vedanta is of particular interest to people in UK because it is the only multinational company operating in Goa and registered in UK, so the British investors have a say about this particular business. All the other mining companies are mostly "family businesses" and possibly of more interest to Goans, because almost all belong to Goans. This initiative can be one among many catalysts for CHANGE IN GOA. I don't give up easily.....and no one in Goa should give up either. I believe in the power of the TRUTH about this issue which people need to know about. Carmen George commented: "There should not be any doubt that Goa's media is on the side of the mine owners, mega-project builders, politicians - they are linked through business dealings, "awards" and "grants" for art and entertainment events, sponsorships, advertising." -Soter ------------------------------