WAR IN PRAMOD CABINET!

MINISTER      of Culture in charge of the Kala Academy Govind Gaude is under attack not only from Opposition in a assembly but BJP MLAs too. We do not know how the comparison arose but the Kala Academy is being described as the Taj Mahal and Gaude as Bahadur Shah who built the Taj Mahal for his wife Mumtaz Begum. Reportedly, Gaude had told media people asking questions that during the building of the Taj Mahal no tenders were called for and the Taj Mahal still stands, doesn’t it?

There are many excuses offered by Govind Gaude after being ridiculed by the rest of the Cabinet. Gaude has claimed that the structure is 47 years old and was not part of the renovation.  As far as I can recall the primary problem after the renovation was to repair the open-air auditorium which was in bad shape. Now in defence Govind Gaude has retaliated by asking why the Atal Sethu is in such a bad shape and nobody asks questions about it?

DABOLIM GOING, GONE!

THE fear that all civilian air traffic will shift from Dabolim to Mopa now seems to be certain as confirmed by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant himself. Mauvin Godinho has claimed that GMR, the franchise for Mopa, is using pressure tactics for getting private airlines to shift to Mopa. Recently, the new flight from Goa to Abu Dhabi started operating from Mopa. Several private airlines that shifted their base in Goa would prefer Mopa to Dabolim because of the control imposed by the Navy over the old airport. At Dabolim airport civilian flights are banned between 6am to 12 noon and this is peak hours for operations for private airlines. As far as charters are concerned they have to take the permission of the Naval authorities for every flight. Moreover, aircraft cannot stand over at  Dabolim airport and have to return immediately after dropping off the passengers. It would appear that the Dabolim airport will be completely taken over by the Navy henceforth.

RUSH TO WATERFALLS

THERE are reportedly 75 minor waterfalls in Goa. Of these the Dudhsagar waterfalls are the most majestic and most popular because of their location. The Dudhsagar waterfalls are located just below the Dudhsagar railway station on the Bengaluru-Goa railway route. Passengers are not allowed to get down at Dudhsagar station. Unfortunately,   most passengers do not follow the rule. The get down at Dudhsagar station and track down to Dudhsagar waterfalls. The waterfalls are magnificent but the areas is full of deadly rocky stretches inviting disasters and tragedies. Unfortunately, happy go lucky tourists like to take chances while doing their recreation in the water pools and try to take selfies, in the process they slip and many a tragedy takes place. The official route to Dudhsagar waterfalls is actually through the Mollem wildlife sanctuary passing through several rivulets and there is a very rocky road…at present about a hundred jeeps are authorised to carry passengers. The authorities decided to put waterfalls out of bounds during peak monsoon season but recently presumably because of some hue and cry, the Dudhsager waterfalls are open now but with due restrictions in place.

WHITE RIVER RAFTING

WHITEWATER river rafting involves sailing down a 10km stretch of river which has rapid currents. In white water river rafting you get into big strong rubber boats which have a capacity to take up to eight passengers and two guides. Everybody has to do the rowing amidst the excitement of roaring, gushing river waters and all members of the team have to act unitedly to take the boat forward. It’s a thrilling adventure sport in which everyone is togged up in safety jackets and those who are swimmers may jump into the swirling water for frolicking before getting back on the boat as next rapids appear…it is not widely known that there is white water rafting being conducted in Goa for the  last five years. The adventurous fun filled sport is being managed by English veteran John Pollard and wife and it is completely safe even for those who can’t swim. Just wear a life jacket and get onto the raft boat and you will be given a few lessons on how to play your part without getting into trouble. We and our friends have had the pleasure doing white water rafting at t Dandeli in Karnataka many years ago and the memory still warms the cockles of our hearts. John Pollard has the knack of making anyone feel safe and protected and we recommend his white water rafting down a river in Goa or Karnataka or anywhere.

GO ELECTRIC PLEASE!

THE Goa government has directed  tourism vehicles to go electric from next year. This is already operative with rental cars. However, it is not clear if the Transport department will finance the cost of conversion from diesel and petrol to electric. There is also the challenge of setting up enough charging stations at various public places. With frequent power cuts the charging stations may not function effectively.

NOT SO SMART!

PANAJI MLA Babush Monserrate has  come down heavily on the Smart City project. Speaking at the assembly the Taleigao MLA pointed out that the Smart City work has not been completed. Moreover the quality of the work completed is very poor. Babush, a member of the Smart City panel, expressed his sorrow on the suffering of the people. However, Babush and son Rohit, the mayor of Panaji, are both in a position to intervene and could have got the contract for road works cancelled, and given it to a competent and accountable contractor. What stopped them?

MANIPUR DESERVES JUSTICE

The list of people who deserve justice in India is growing. From Manipur which is torn apart with ethnic cleansing to Himachal Pradesh where landslides are causing flooding and havoc in the Kulu-Manali river vally and elsewhere in the country where it seems as if the whole sub-continent is going under water – and who cares? It’s clear to many that a vendetta-seeking government at the Centre is seeking political gains by lighting the fires of divide and rule. In this it is easy to target the Muslims and Christians of India which barely make up 20
% per cent of the Indian population. Yet it is the Hindu who is danger? Why and how? Perhaps some of the answers are blowing in the winds of the ethnic cleansing unleashed in the small north-eastern state of Manipur, pitting the Hindu Meitis against the Christian Kukis. Light the fires of religious differences and prized forested land where the latter community lives and thrives may be cleared for economic gains even if they invoke future environmental tragedies! It is economic exploitation versus human development in Manipur and also what has happened a clear warning to women who stand in the way – it is easy enough to lynch, shoot, rape, instil the fear of the devil in tribal women who stand in the way of armed civilian “militants.” The question doing the rounds is how come so many civilians own arms in Manipur to go about terrorising and sexualizing abusing the women of Manipur who put up a strong resistance force against the division of Manipur along ethnic lines? Does anybody want peace in Manipur? The people of Manipur are calling for United Nations protection as also President’s rule in Manipur. They have more faith in India’s president than prime minister or so it would seem!

FOREST CONSERVATION ACT?

WE must stop the passing of the Forest Conservation Amendment (FCA)  slated to be passed in the monsoon session beginning July 20. It declassifies 197,159 sq km of forests including those in Aravallis. This act makes them vulnerable to many dangerous activities. It brings others at risk.  Forests in North East and Uttarakhand can be cut down for strategic projects. Drilling for natural gases and oil can take places in forests. Forests can be replaced by zoos, safaris and eco-tourism. Many projects will be exempted from taking clearances and the forest dwelling tribes can be put to risk.

The so called Forest Conservation Amendment Bill will put the country’s ecology severely in danger. If 197,159 sq km of forests which is 15% of India’s forest cover is declassified this will be opened up for destruction through afforestation.

Many scientists, civil servants, environmentalists, students and politicians have already sent the government of India their objections and it is time everybody else who cares about this country does too and writes to the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate change to make it understand how it is betraying the country on a long term basis.

So say many Indian citizens including Poovulagin Nanbargal & Jhatkaa.org who have urged MPs not to table forest bill in house session in Delhi! Hope the bill is not allowed to be passed by those who love India.