Just a word of caution to the expats on this list... it's easy to get nostalgic and want to freeze a village in time. But if we turn too unrealistic, then the big-time land-sharks and building speculators will simply play on the fact that we're out of touch with the aspirations of many who live in Saligao.
While we do appreciate the positive aspects of the past (the charm of Saligao, it's semi-rustic nature, open spaces, playfields, nature's bounty like the springs, mix of amenities and rural life or rurbanism as someone called it, etc), we also need to keep in mind another reality. I don't know if the Regional Plan is the right place to make these points, but how effective is a village like Saligao when it comes to helping its denizens to earn a living? * In the past, a lot of people kept domestic animals (goats, cattle, pigs, poultry). That has almost completely come to an end. Why? Can this be resuscitated? * Does the social and physical infrastructure allow the 'small guy' to start micro-businesses and live a little less efficiently? While the 'big player' can always buy his way through, and doesn't need a leg up, this is not true of someone who could turn from being unemployed into being a barefoot businessperson.... * The fields of the village have been in a state of neglect and decay. The crops planted there have been the same, planted for perhaps five centuries and more, without any people-friendly, technological-upgradation (apart from Natha Umbraskar's useful innovations). What needs to be done here? Selling water isn't sustainable, though profitable for individuals.... * The Saligao market is in abysmal shape.... * While everyone in power and politics focuses on the physical infrastructure (building, roads, electricity) and campaigners talk about the green infrastructure (nature, open spaces etc) what about the people infrastructure? Do we have enough initiatives to keep our people gainfully involved in work and hobbies that could give them a better, fuller life? If not, how do we go about this? * Public transport, or the lack of it, is another crying issue for Saligao. The buses plying on the CHOGM Road are approx the same in number and frequency that used to ply in 1983 when I went to college! Maybe fewer! Just because we have our own two- or four-wheelers, does it mean we don't need to be concerned about this issue? As I said, I don't know how many of these issues would fit into a Regional Plan discussion. Nonetheless, I'm raising it here, as this is as good an opportunity to flag such concerns. Best wishes, FN -- FN * http://fredericknoronha.wordpress.com M +91-9822122436 P +91-832-2409490 http://twitter.com/fn On Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/people/Frederick-Noronha/502514643 "Press the button Max." - The Great Race --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ This message comes via the Google Groups "Saligao-Net" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net?hl=en Please post regularly to keep the e-village active! -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
