Praful Patel for promoting Goa as global tourist destination

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-10-31
PANAJI - Urging the political leadership in Goa to bring some kind of unanimity among themselves and the people for introducing innovative things like marinas, seaplanes and so on, which can improve the economic activity in the state, the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel on Thursday said that such innovations can increase the desire among tourists to visit Goa.
“Goa has been attracting people, but you have to attract more people and bring in more money,” he suggested, adding that every small thing in Goa, unfortunately gets bogged down by political or social controversies. Mr Patel, who was the chief guest at the felicitation function of the noted Goan industrialist, philanthropist and connoisseur of art and music, Dr Prafulla Hede, at the Kala Academy complex further stated that I don’t see any reason why we cannot replicate Singapore or Dubai in Goa, over ten times better than these global tourist attractions. “Though the airline companies (in India) are in a soup at present, the country needs more connectivity, which would provide a boost to the social and economic growth of India,” he maintained.
Observing that if the country does not move on the economic trajectory upward and forward, it would reach nowhere, the Minister for Civil Aviation stated that the economic problems of India should be alleviated for its prosperous future. Mr Patel also described Dr Hede’s journey during last 70 years as a shift from economic class to business class to first class, through sheer hard work. “And Dr Hede may now also have his private aircraft,” he quipped.
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat felicitated Dr Hede on the occasion. The event was organised by the Samraat Club International. The chairman of the Essar Group, Mr Shashi Ruia speaking on ‘Steel and Mining’ said that the Indian steel industry needs special efforts to develop its export markets.
Observing that the Indian steel industry is a victim to the surge in inputs, Mr Ruia predicted annual Indian steel consumption to rise to 150 million tonnes from the present consumption of 53 million tonnes, in the urbanised and industrialised setting. Reacting to the current state of global recession, Mr Ruia hoped that the world would soon emerge from the losing scenario.
The chairman of the Eggar Forrester Group, UK, Mr Paul Willcox, spoke on ‘Shipping and Properties’. He also shared his memories during his business interactions with Dr Hede.
The Speaker of the state assembly, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, who is the chairman of the felicitation committee welcomed the gathering, while Prof Surendra Sirsat read the scroll of honour presented to Dr Hede by the felicitation committee.
A number of political leaders including the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, the Transport Minister, Mr Ramakrishna Dhavalikar, the Tourism Minister, Mr Francisco Pacheco, the Revenue Minister, Mr Jose Phillip D’Souza and the president of the state unit of the Nationalist Congress Party, Dr Wilfred de Sousa were present on the occasion.