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Florian, Here we have more of them join your Goan Revolution, after Remo... Its time the other Goans wake up....Regards...Eddie Verdes Celebrities react to IFFI extravaganza By: Valerie Rodriques http://www.mid-day.com/news/nation/2004/december/98721.htm Wendell Rodricks, Fashion designer I am one hundred per cent behind having the IFFI in Goa, since I’m all for anything that will boost the image of Goa. Yet things should have been done in a way to retain the flavour and charm of Goa. Different venues, perhaps in the charming rural areas, could have been selected. Some of the so-called beautification has been done in a very tacky and tasteless fashion. I also have a big grouse in that the public has been put through so much of inconvenience with blocked roads, traffic disruption, etc. Huge amounts of money have been spent on just one city whereas we need to improve basic infrastructure like transport, electricity, etc... all over Goa. Margaret Mascarenhas Author, Skin While the film festival may, on the surface, be a good venue for filmmakers and a way to put Goa in the international spotlight, there is little real benefit to a majority of Goans. Money spent on this festival would have been better utilised on basic infrastructural improvements throughout Goa — power, water, telecommunications, transport, public health and, in particular, waste management. It is a horrifying fact that the present sewerage plant of Panjim can barely handle even a third of the season’s output. There is a ship beached off the coast of Sinquerim which could and eventually will, spew oil all along the coastline; it’s been there for years. Nowhere in the state has the Goa government properly allocated land for dumping, or for segregation of hazardous waste. Health, environment and basic infrastructure for Goa should take precedence over film festivals. Uday Bhembre Konkani writer, lawyer, social activist IFFI has always been welcome, but not in the way it has been done. Infrastructure for this event had to be created in a very short time and the huge costs which involve market borrowing are a big burden on Goa. Instead of creating a film culture, all the other events that have been organised like beach screenings and parties, have led to more of a carnival-like atmosphere. The new four-lane road was built but closing of this to have road-side cultural events has totally negated its usefulness and caused inconvenience to the general public. Heta Pandit Writer and heritage activist I love the idea of hosting the IFFI and similar events in Goa. Yet there are definitely problems with infrastructure that have to be taken care of. Our public transportation system needs to be beefed up. Attending late night movies for locals becomes difficult with the present transport system and even delegates have been complaining about the high costs of transport to the venue. So also, electricity is being drawn from rural areas to illuminate the venue. I also have to say that while I appreciate what has been done to brighten up the heritage Goa Medical College building, yet principles of building conservation have not been properly followed and many shortcuts have been taken. Prasad Pankar Photo-artist The government has handled IFFI in a very dictatorial fashion where the locals have been side-lined and too much of money has been spent on things that were not really required. We need to improve basic facilities, the standard of living, develop rural areas, create employment opportunities. There is a high percentage of musicians in Goa and rather than importing film culture here, Goa’s own music industry could have been given a boost. Dean D'Cruz Award-winning architect My own village Saligao has an illegal garbage dump and we’ve been asking for a treatment plant. The government in the High Court have said that they have no money for a treatment plant. I also