To Goanet - JC wrote: >After the final session, Ema and I walked from the hotel to the older >sections of the city (we walked about 6 miles through the city). What >was striking was HOW the city and its people continue to protect the >old colonial French (Spanish) architecture, culture and heritage. > >It might interest Rajan Parrikar to note that NO financial deep >pockets can just come and destroy the buildings or even modify them >except within the specifications delineated by 'period architecture'. >In contrast, what we see happening in amchem Goem is the wanton >destruction of colonial architecture - and replacement by UGLY >concrete. > >I can understand the ignorant folks and the rank bigots who want to >pretend that Goa did not have or does not have Portuguese influence. >But .... the chapels and churches of Goa and the property surrounding >them? > >In conclusion: Old city areas of New Orleans = Ponnje or Margao IF the >latter were neater, cleaner and not destroyed by ostriches and >financial opportunists.
JC-bab, I have very fond and pleasant memories of New Orleans from my many visits there in the early 1990s. I also had the privilege of being hosted a couple of times by Drs Kama and Lata Thaly in their home. Yes, I recall clearly the French Quarter evoking memories of Panjim. And the lovely ambience of live soft jazz wafting from the bars and restaurants (this was, after all, the birthplace of jazz), the quiet rides on the MIssissippi, and so on. Much of this model could have been adapted for Panjim & Goa. There is no denying the positive influence of the Portuguese on Goa. I yield to no one in my denunciation of the wanton destruction, brutality and religious bigotry they wrought in their early years. And unlike Admin Noronha, I will never cite "context" to whitewash these early Portuguese atrocities against the Hindus. But it is equally true that the latter Portuguese mellowed a good deal. One could be cynical and say that once you have demoralized and subdued your adversaries it is easy to be generous, and so on. It is undeniable that the aspects of culture that are unique to or characteristic of Goa and Goans came out of the crucible provided by the Portuguese (whether they intended it or not is another question). Panjim, the most beautiful city (no longer, alas - thank you Indian for NOTHING) in the subcontinent in recent times, came to be so because of the Portuguese. Any Hindu, ghati or Goan, denying the obvious positives of the ex-colonialists should be laughed out of town. r --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------