Re: [IAC#RG] THE BASILICA OF BOM JESUS IS GOA’S TREASURE

Mr. Rodriguez, an 'investigation' into ASI apathy is unlikely to ever be done and will instead raise their hackles. Even the  holiest 'Hindu'  sites in India have been ruined, overwhelmed by commercial and tourism related activities encroaching on the premises of those complexes and ruining the aesthetics and accessibility of the sanctum sanctorums. 

I feel that you yourself along with numerous like-minded people, academicians, student. and youth groups, people in tourism industry, priests (including scholarly Jesuits from other states - Karnataka, Jharkhand, for instance), churches, and of course, ASI technical people, et al. should convene a seminar to discuss the problem, first but discussing the global importance of the site, it's history, traditions and contents, and then by showing videos or slides of the alleged encroachments, after which you as an advocate can mention the legal provisions that would help remove them.  

Don't expect anyone from government to attend though they will say they will. Unless you can approach the appropriate govt.department for their collaboration. You would have to disseminate your findings and recommendations through the Media,  journalists, tourism magazine and tour operators, YouTubers will have to publicize the seminar and it's discussions/demands.

Your own focus would have to be on the legal aspects of the. entire case. Statistics on annual and decadal total visitors to the shrine and it's 12-year events must be printed out in the cover note.

These are just some suggestions, based on what we with INTACH tried to do (unsuccessfully!) to save prehistoric and historic sites from rampant coal mining in Jharkhand. In fact, INTACH might be interested in collaborating and co-funding so please locate their convenor in Goa and also write to their head office to solicit technical collaboration and funds.

Joya Roy

On Fri, 1 May 2020, 03:15 Aires Rodrigues, <indiaresists@lists.riseup.net> wrote:

It is so very anguishing that it took Chief Minister Pramod Sawant so many days to pay a visit to the world renowned Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa which is currently in structural distress. It was Pramod Sawant's duty to rush to the site when the news came to light.

The Government needs to look into the total mismanagement and poor administration at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which is the caretaker of historical monuments including the Basilica. Old Goa is UNESCO protected area but with the tacit blessings of the ASI officials illegal constructions by the local MLA and Panchayat politicians have blatantly mushroomed all over. Last year while on a visit to Delhi I had met ASI officials at the head office who candidly admitted that it was difficult to act against the illegalities by ruling politicians.

While commending the very pro-active Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica Rev. Fr. Patricio Fernandes for doing everything to hightlight the need to preserve the upkeep of this invaluable monument, let us hope the Goa Government will act swiftly to do all that is needed as the monsoons are fast approaching and the Basilica needs to be rescued from a man made disaster on account of the sheer negligence and laxity by the authorities.

Carrying out the urgent maintenance and restoration of all historical monuments is the priority. At the same time an investigation must take place into the ASI to ensure that our heritage and treasured historical monuments are never again compromised and threatened in this way. They must also be equipped to take whatever action is required to stamp out illegal constructions that interfere with such heritage sites without favour or prejudice. Our society will be defined not only by what we create but by what we refuse to destroy.  

Aires Rodrigues

Advocate High Court

C/G-2, Shopping Complex

Ribandar Retreat,

Ribandar – Goa – 403006

Mobile No: 9822684372

Office Tel  No: (0832) 2444012

Email: airesrodrigues1@gmail.com

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