Click to play videoPanaji (Goa): The building of what was Asia's first medical college at a point remained neglected for long time until 2004 when it was converted into the office of the Entertainment Society of Goa which organises the International Film Festival of India.
However, now the heritage structure, which was built by the Portuguese in 1782, may well become a shopping mall if the government has its way.
“We are totally opposed to an elitist shopping mall in this building. It’s a sacrosanct and sacred place. So we cannot allow a commercial shopping mall into this building,” says a member of the Goa Heritage Action Group, Prajal Sakhardande.
Elizabeth Vaz, Professor, Dempe College, Miramar voices the same opinion.
“I find it very difficult to believe that Government of Goa would decide a thing as appalling as this. This is the first Medical College in the whole of Asia. We have a beautiful building, which is a Heritage building, and we want to turn it into a shopping mall. I can’t understand. We have got enough shopping places,” she says.
Despite the opposition, work is underway to turn it into a mall. And for the government it seems that heritage means good business.
“Every coin has two sides. So I can’t say anything about it right now,” says Chief Minister of Goa, Pratapsingh Rane.
So as the Goans continue their fight to save their heritage, what is to be seen is whether the government will bow to the pressure of the people and scrap the project.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
