Goa Blog

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Rethink on sea link project: panel Posted: 27 Jul 2010 08:55 AM PDT The Dona Paula-Vasco sea link project would be a white elephant for the state of Goa, a legislative panel has said in its report. The Adhoc Committee on Finance, which is chaired by Calangute legislator Agnelo Fernandes, in its report submitted to the Assembly today, has asked the government to rethink on the project. "The committee is of the opinion that the project would be a white elephant on the economy of the state," the report stated urging the state to rethink on project. The committee felt that such mindless project having provision of Rs 100 crores in the year 2009-10, has resulted in blocking of funds for no reasons which could have been put to use for other developmental activities. "The committee is also of the opinion that the sea link project may not benefit for small state like Goa. The committee therefore recommends the government to avoid such huge unnecessary provisions in budget estimates in future," the report says. Courtesy: Herald

Goa: Towards an eco-friendly festival Posted: 27 Jul 2010 05:56 AM PDT Celebrations bring people together, breaking barriers of caste, creed and religion. On these auspicious days, the religious fraternity comes together and celebrate the festival as one big family.  As the grand festival of Hindus, Ganesh Chaturthi nears one will see many Hindu families busy gearing up for it. The celebrations extend beyond families as the festival takes on proportions of a community get together by the holding of the 'Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav'. As the season of this festival approaches, shops in the market see an increase in the number of its customers who come to buy various accessories and essential items related to the occasion. The season has already begun with people booking idols. Despite, the ban on the PoP idols by the state government the supply of these non-biodegradable idols continues to flourish.  To add to the problem, these idols are painted with chemicals which are toxic. While expressing resentment towards the sale of PoP idols, an eco-friendly customer says, "Worshipping Ganesh idols actually signifies worshipping our Mother Earth and so it is symbolic to use clay or mud to make the idol. After this idol is immersed it gets becomes one with the Earth and causes no harm to the ecology. Therefore, it is vital to worship an idol made up of pure clay instead of any other non-biodegradable product." A source from the Goa Handicrafts, Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd (GHRSSISC) says, "In Goa no makes PoP idols, in fact, these idols are mostly imported from nearby states." GHRSSISC, to discourage the sale of PoP and increase the production of locally made clay idols, has implemented a scheme that provides huge subsidies to local idol makers. The scheme is intended to motivate idol makers so as to encourage this traditional art form. Many local artisans earn their livelihood through this art form, which has been passed on from one generation to the other. As per this scheme, idols made of clay will get a subsidy of up to Rs 100 per idol provided the size of the idol has a minimum height of one foot. As per the scheme, artisans have to submit an undertaking that the idols have been made by them and not imported from outside the state. This will be the third year since the scheme has been implemented. However, there is a bit of a problem faced in installing huge Ganesh idols made of clay for Sarvajanik Ganeshotsavs. The president the Panaji Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mr Suraj Naik opined, "The PoP idols do not dissolve in water and so clay idols are used. But huge idols made of mud tend to crack as they remain in moist conditions for the entire eleven days." Courtesy: Navhind Times

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