the Goa Heritage Action Group -

Goenkars and Friends ,

Please join me in Congratulatiing  the Goa Heritage Action Group
(GHAG), on the occassion of the second Goa Heritage Festival 2002
being held in Panjim Goa............... a great show !

On this occassion , I would like thank Heta Pandit ,
the Hon Sec of the Goa Heritage Action Group -
for working in partnership with us in organising
the  WORLD GOA DAY in Goa.
http://www.goaheritage.org/events_worldgoaday.htm

and there is more to come........................rene barreto

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On Line
NT Staff Reporter


Panaji, Nov 26: The Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar, said that
his government was doing its best to boost heritage tourism in the state,
and expressed the hope that if done properly, it could draw more tourists.


Mr Parrikar, who inaugurated the 2-day second Goa Heritage Festival 2002,
organised by Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG), in collaboration with
the Department of Tourism and Panjim Municipal Council (PMC)
at Campal, revealed that the government was trying to revive certain
sites of historical importance.

"Heritage should not be linked to the Portuguese rule," the Chief Minister
observed, pointing out that such a view might give a wrong perspective
to the heritage preservation movement.

Mr Parrikar further agreed that pressure from the builders' lobby
 might have been indirectly responsible for slowing down of the
movement. He also added that the government was making attempts
 to reserve funds for monuments in the state and hoped that these
attempts would soon bear fruits.

The Chief Minister felicitated the Chief Officer of PMC,
Mr Sanjeet Rodrigues during the event and also launched
a website of Goa Heritage Action Group, www.goaheritage.org

Ms Pallavi Dempo of Dempo Charities Trust, who was the
special invitee, released a souvenir of the Group titled Parmal. Earlier,
Mr Ralph de Souza, chairperson of GHAG welcomed,
while Ms Heta Pandit, honorary secretary presented annual
 report of the Group. Mr Raya Shankhwalkar proposed a vote of thanks.


The chairperson of PMC, Mr Ashok Naik, former Chief Minister,
Ms Shashikala Kakodkar, delegate of Fundacao Oriente in India,
Mr Sergio Mascarenhas e Almeida and editor of daily Gomantak,
Mr Sharad Karkhanis also attended the function.


During the second session, Ms Pandit spoke on 'Art and
Architecture of Goa', while Dr Pratima Kamat delivered a
lecture on 'Heritage - A Showcase for Tourism?' Ms Pandit
said that the houses are not just evidences of political,
cultural and social lifestyles of a region but give geographical nature
and time frame when they were constructed. Architecture is both,
historical evidence as well as art form, she added."Goan houses are
perfect examples of climatic adaptations and show combination of art
and functionality," she opined. Ms Pandit further observed that Goa
 does not display massive monuments dedicated to emperors and queens
but has towering churches signifying hold of religion over political power,
during their construction.


Dr Kamat, stressing on the fact that uncontrolled tourism and
 unplanned development could be detrimental to the society,
stated that linking heritage tourism to the service of sustainable
community development could be a viable proposition.


She also objected to equating the Goan culture to Bohemian
lifestyle and the carnivalisque image of the state projected to
the outside world. "Apart from the heritage belonging to the
Portuguese period, that dating back to ancient and medieval
 times should also be promoted," she said. A number of other
programmes including demonstrations by artisans, open house
and folk dances were also organised during the day.


posted by rene barreto