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COMMENT: Q&A, GOA-STYLE. WHEN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY COMES VISITING >From Frederick Noronha THERE WERE films and stars and merchants of dreams at Goa's 35th IFFI. But full marks for projection should go to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who had participants eating out of his hand at an 'open house' session held on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India Sunday. Clearly impressed by the colour and glitter, clean and uncluttered roads (even if restricted to just one section of Panjim) and an infrastructure on which a phenomenal (and still unknown) amount has been spent, the delegates at the session were already well-disposed in their attitude to the CM. Parrikar's confidence -- critics might think of it as just bluster -- in painting an all-is-fine-with-Goa image gave a further push to those ready and waiting to lavish generous praise on the chief minister. "The chief minister had to struggle very hard to get the festival here. People are only getting the cake," said the moderator of the function, a film-society organiser, introducing Parrikar. (Is this really so? One thought the IFFI was thrust on Goa following someone's fancy idea at Delhi that Cannes needed to be replicated in Goa. Eating the cake? Fortunately, the tax-payer is never adequately told all the figures on hand.) Parrikar welcomed the delegates, and added: "I didn't have much problem in getting up the infrastructure here or getting it done in time. But there is a small group of a frustrated opposition, of a few people. One lady was blocking the route this evening and causing an artificial roadblock. They went to the courts and lost their battle. They tried to benefit from a change in government. They failed on various front." He went on to narrate how he was part of the "larger group" that had started the Mood Indigo campus fest at the IIT-Bombay, and how he saw Goa being built up as a state for art and culture, with cinema being one part of this. Parrikar repeated his argument that "10 to 15%" of India's musicians or vocal singers in films and the other music industries are from Goa, a number disproportionate to the state's size. "After 15 months in power (during the past term) I went in for a by-elections. Sushma Swaraj asked me if I would win. It was a very bad time for our party at the Centre. So, I asked if I win, what would she give in return? She promised a film festival and a very good studio," he said. His view was that the film festival came to Goa "inspite of a lot of competition for the same". He was optimistic that it would continue in Goa. "Nobody gave us a chance. In India, we are used to not completing projects on time. But as an engineer, I was damn sure. Once you plan properly (it falls in place). We had planned for contingencies too," he said. Parrikar shared credit to his Cabinet -- which actually has such a minimalist role to play in governance -- and to the team of officers "who worked till 12 or 1.30 am at night". He went on to add that his visibility at this hour had been noticed, saying: "Maybe the officers were not recognised. For those have stopped at 6.30 (pm) it's not easy to get back." This earned a loud round of applause, not just here, but at other points of time too. Asked if he was a film-buff, Parrikar used the opportunity to make a point he has made in the past. "For the last ten years in Goa, I've not seen a film in a theatre. That's not because I don't love films. It was an insurance risk going for one. There were cockroaches and rats (in the theatre)," he added. He narrated the incident of an industrialist finding something sitting on his lap during a good movie, and finding to his horror that it was a rat. Of course, the delegates at IFFI couldn't be expected to unravel the politics of cine theatres and offers to Zantye -- which didn't take off, probably became politically superfluous, and now are being promised with a revival. Parrikar conceded that it was a chicken-and-egg situation: low audiences meant poor maintenance, and vice versa. He promised that the interest-free loans, part of the last Goa budget and which failed to materialise in time for the IFFI, would come soon. These loans would be for upto seven years, and for an amount of Rs 3 crore (Rs 30 million) in the capital Panjim, he said. "Before coming into politics, movies was my past-time. Indian movies take you into a fantasy world. Where people are starving, they can enjoy a five-star dinner in a movie by paying Rs 20 for a ticket," he argued. Parrikar went on to say that "movies make you feel good, and allow you to forget your pressures. Lot of health problems can be taken care of if cinema is used properly." Either this is a new contribution to medicine, or just some more hype fine-tuned for the right audience. Would Goa continue to be the venue for the IFFI, someone from Kolkata (Calcutta) asked? It appears that while Bollywood appears happy with the decision, the filmi counterparts in Hyderabad and Bengal aren't taking too kindly to IFFI being shunted to Goa. "I can assure you we are 370 days away from the second festival," Parrikar said, his usual confidence showing up. Asked whether the state had plans for maintenance of the (obviously costly) infrastructure it had put in place, Parrikar said Goa would become the "first state" -- we seem to be having so many firsts, but our infrastructure still keeps going to the dogs! -- to have a maintenance provision for government assets. It would need some funds, a certain percentage of the project cost. "We have one of the best bus terminals in Asia set up at Canacona. Every three months, the bottom one-third coating requires to be repainted," he said, pointing to the habit of spitting. "Here, the boulevard painting was done for the second time," he added. Speaking to an audience which had no chance of following the context, Parrikar went on to showcase the Poinguinim bye-election result. "It was a seat which I had never won before... won it with 22% lead. You can understand about the public mood," he argued. "In Miramar, yesterday 100,000 people participated. That's eight to ten percent of the state's population. Over the festival, at least 25% of the population will visit the venue," he said, resorting to figures flowing thick and fast, to floor the delegates. In response to another query, Parrikar gave "credit" to union information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy for "standing firm" inspite of political pressures not to have the IFFI here from his own colleagues (read: Congressmen). "Now they've changed their stance, and are supporting it," he pointed out. Someone said Goa was the only great IFFI held over the past 20-30 years, after an impressive one at Hyderabad. "But film festivals are for film (buffs). Next year, for the general public, please have separate theatres (showing films). There have been insufficient seats for the delegates," he pointed out. Parrikar responded: "We will ensure that next year the public theatres are operational all over the state. This time, we could have killed the cockroaches, but the sound systems or projectors were simply not good enough." Okay, so we are not to understand here that maintenance is less lucrative as building or, better still, breaking-and-building? "We've introduced the concept of beach cinema. It is drawing crowds of upto 10,000. Next year, we plan for a floating theatre. The only problem is that if the movie is boring, you can't jump off," the CM joked. For those who forgot, the 'floating theatre' idea was to have been implemented this year itself. From bits and fragments getting reported in the media, it appears that a private player wanting to eventually set up a casino will put up a vessel possibly with a screen on board. Rajiv Thakur, originally from Goa but working in the film industry in Mumbai pleased: "I'm forced to work in Goa. Can something be done to (build up the infrastructure here so that we) can make our own Konkani films in Goa?" Parrikar was quick with his Konkani-films-are-not-viable argument. Okay, they were viable even five decades ago then, when we had so many Konkani charming movies surface then? "Konkani films have a very limited audience. You can't have 800 films (a year as in the case of) Telugu or Tamil. Konkani has a limitation because of size," he argued. More statistics about how large the Indian film industry is. Parrikar argued that the film festival could be a 'nucleus point' for growth. "We want to convert Goa into an entertainment hub, not restricting it to cinema," he said. Does Parrikar believe in the 'feel good' factor, a lady wanted to know? That sometimes proves way off target, isn't it? This was the chance for Parrikar to respond to pop star Remo Fernandes' stinging criticism that appeared in the Sunday Mid-Day and -- rather uncharacteristically -- even in the local Navhind Times earlier in the day. He began: "I entirely agree with Remo. My philosophy is the same. I've actually done what he's saying. But you don't have to achieve 100% in the fields of education and health, before you take to films." This is the opening for what all the "Goa government" has "done" for its grateful citizens. Parrikar's ease with figures helps to build the image of a paradise state; specially for an audience which doesn't have a clue of what is the whole truth, what is a half-truth, and what simply is a white lie. So here flow the statistics: "Dayanand Niradhar pensions of Rs 550 per month... for widows and differently-abled... Cyberage and a computer at Rs 500 per month... last year given to 32,000 students ... E-literacy in 40% of the homes ... private schools to get upto 60 lakh grants/loans... a mid-day meal which works better than in other states, spending Rs 5 per student per day ... computers and the Internet..." Grrreeeeaaat! It makes one feel like a Rip Van Winkle who has woken up in the Goa of 2020. Or was it 2120? Goa is a marvel in terms of statistics; but the situation on the ground still leaves much to be desired. One delegate had a blunt query: IFFI-35 seemed more like a carnival than a film-festival. What was Goa doing to improve 'film literacy' so that it could avoid just a 'tamasha' or a Bollywood approach to films. "Carnival is a different type of culture. Liquor is not being sold. It's a family crowd. There has not been a crime in six days, that must be a kind of record. We've involved the local population. I need local participation to develop film culture," was Parrikar's reply. But that's playing on words. Never mind that the festival guide (an official publication) repeatedly talks about the "carnival" in its second page itself. Never mind that the officially-thanked sponsors include Bacardi, Chateau Indage, and Kingfisher -- of course, everyone in Goa knows that the liquor companies sponsoring the carnivals due it as pure charity.... Strangely, while citizens blame their state government for not giving them information often, here was a CM blaming the Centre for not keeping Goa well informed on what a film festival really involved, right from an early stage. "We were not getting any information ourselves. We were in the dark.... in future, we will avoid those parts which looks more like a carnival." Someone from Kolkata wanted to know how many film societies Goa had. Needless to say, which Goa has been focussing on concrete, and buying costly hardware, a lot of human 'resources' have been long neglected. The answer from the CM: one, maybe two. Compared to a state like West Bengal which has some 150, one was told. One government servant asks a query on Remo's views. CM: "He (Remo) probably does not have full details of what the Government of Goa has done in the priority sector. I don't believe in compartmentalisation. If the people had followed what Remo said (taking on issues like health and education first), he (Remo) himself would have not become famous (by treating culture as a luxury). Leisure too should be a part of any good society. Don't throw the baby out with the bath-water." This time, another delegate was protesting: Don't delete anything from the current festival. We need some exposure to Goa. You've done a great job. More on Goans have the natural talent in music... Jayant Chhaya, who was with the International Centre, makes a relevant point: Once an event gets over, the infrastructure just gets forgotten. For instance, Suresh Kalmadi's sports infrastructure in Pune. How will Goa manage? Parrikar said the Entertainment Society of Goa is "supposed" to take care of all these facilities, use them properly. Said he: "The problem is that we have some reactive (sic) groups. If you suggest something, the next day there are protests. I've just planted 120 trees. We plan to plant 500 more. Three trees were kept purposely. People are now asking me to cut those down." Of course, nobody from outside the state is likely to follow what this debate is all about, if they haven't followed the road-widening controversy along Miramar. More sops and promises; don't ask where a financially broke state is going to produce the money from. Parrikar promises delegates from a distance that Goa could think of subsidising their travel. He doesn't use these words, but sways: "If I can sponsor a foreigner, then (the same could also be done for) a good Indian (delegate)." Some more self-appreciation, and some more statistics. "I've been the most successful finance minister of the state..." "Everyone is saying I've spent Rs 120 crores. Yet, the actual expenditure is Rs 70-75 crores. That includes work on roads and bridges." He says misreporting is taking its toll. "Right from Day 1 I've been saying we don't' want to make Goa a Cannes. Repeating the success of Cannes does not mean to replicate Cannes. Why should I when I'm better looking?" A question from a foreign delegate from Berlin. Praise for Goa's infrastructure, organisation and good crowds. Someone wanted to know how the streets are kept clean. Parrikar goes off on a tangent to say he doesn't litter, and "even know you would find two or three papers in my pocket (awaiting a dustbin)". The truth of the matter is that the ultra-cleanliness is happening in just one small part of Panjim. Secondly, the work has been hired out to one or more private parties. They've been scrubbing the floors and toilets throughout the day. What happens when their contract ends and the till is empty? Parrikar praises some aspects of the 'good old times', basically the cleanliness in Portuguese Goa. "I was six at the time of Liberation, and distinctly remember the Indian soldiers coming in. My father had a truck which was used to bring in the soldiers from the northern border..." Eh, where are we? He says that till ten years after 1961, citizens painted their homes each year. "We've since picked up some wrong things from the rest of India. The Electricity Department's Vidyut Bhavan building was painted after a gap of 22 years! Now the private buildings have started to look dirty (as compared to the government ones). Many have started painting. I believe in leading from the front." Someone asked a valid question: could food be more moderately priced? The five-star caterer in the Kala Academy were selling at prices few could afford (Rs 20 a cup of tea, compared to Rs 3 in town). Transport is not available to go to restaurants either, since the roads have been partly pedestrianised. Parrikar does one better: "We will deliver coupons at the next IFFI... Food was one of the technical mistake we made. We didn't realise..." And friends have to be obliged too. Long-time Goanetter Lira Fernandes, representing the British Film Institute (BFI), asks whether the Government has any plans to incorporate film studies in the curriculum of schools. Parrikar: "We have plans for an institute on similar pattern as the FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) in Pune. But I don't need to teach the common students about film. They know better than me. You can see it on the beach cinema." By now, everyone is even more suitably impressed. Someone from Uttranchal wants that Parrikar should become the prime minister of India. "Thank you for your wishes, but I don't intend to go out of Goa. I'm not a professional politician either. If I can put things in order, I will go back to my business." Someone else was the CM of Goa to be cloned into 50 copies, and placed in proper areas to ensure the development of India. Parrikar says he is embarrassed by the suggestion, and credits everything to the "people of my state and the Cabinet which helped me". He adds: "Even the obstacles helped. Nobody loves criticism. Being human, I also get irritated by it. But at least 50% of the time, criticism pushed me in the right direction. I may not admit it in public. There is an ego to. No man is a sadhu-sant (saint)." What benefit did he expect from IFFI for Goa? "I'm a finance man to the core. Every calculation done has shown that a successful film festival can pay for itself. Tell me what you expect from my side, and you need to only participate. Tell me what's wrong. My email address is cmgoa at goa.nic.in and I read all the mail I get." Just while everyone is on Cloud Nine, film-maker Anand Patwardhan speaks out. He's the man who made films for 30 years, on themes as varied as the prisoners of Indira Gandhi's Emergency, the orphaned street-dwellers ('Bombay Our City' 1985), religious fundamentalism ('Raam Ke Naam', 1992), sectarian violence ('Father, Son and Holy War, 1995), and the plight of those displaced by development ('A Narmada Diary', 1995). Anand says he doesn't like the cloning idea, because "I am worried about your ideology". Parrikar is quick. Go to the Opposition. Ask the priests at Old Goa. When it comes to governance, he swears, no favours or discrimination based on community or caste. "In today's world, the king doesn't have a religion of his own," he argues. "Then you have different views from your party," comes Anand's googly. Parrikar's answer is that in India, politicians don't always practise what they preach! Incidentally, at this time's IFFI, Anand Patwardhan's film was "War and Peace". Shot in India, Pakistan, Japan and the US, it looks at the price of jingoism and the nuclear arms race, both of which reach its peak when the BJP ruled India. Of course, it might be just a coincidence that the house-full sign went up outside the theatre where his 163-minute film was being shown on Sunday afternoon. Or, as Anand Patwardhan told this writer, tickets were not being sold over the past day or two for this film. There are the films of politics; and there are the politics of film... ENDS