|
Opening
Up: For Whom? (K.T.Suresh, (1993), ANLetter,Vol.
2, Issue 1, October.)
In this increasingly
mobile world, raising questions on the purpose and underlying assumptions
of mobility is seen by many as an exercise without reason. Liberalisation
is heralded as the motive force in the increased movement of capital,
goods, information and services. international and bilateral trade negotiations
insist on increased access to markets which are "protected". Protection
is now synonymous with conservatism, non-openness and immobility.
From the perspective of those who can afford to be "open" the above is
unquestionable. But from that of those who can’t, questions are many.
The right to question is their first loss. With that their ability to
ask, and therefore the ability to participate.
This is the context in which people who are marginalised by the process
of opening-up and liberalisation are raising their voices in protest.
A protest emerging from the hurt of being marginalised from the consciousness
of those vested with the responsibility of providing a space for creative
interaction.
Tourism, purportedly a "liberating" force, is increasingly removing its
mask, and is showing more and more its intolerance to those who question
its basis. It is fending out people: their land, livelihood and the contexts
of their lives.
Special Tourism Areas (STAs), embodied in the National Tourism Action
Plan of 1992, are steps towards consolidating the process of marginalisation.
Kutch in Gujarat, an 84 kilometre stretch in Maharashtra, Bekal in Kerala,
13 sites in Tamil Nadu, the Puri-Konarak coastline in Orissa: these are
some of the targets for STA status.
STAs are conceived of as areas of exclusive tourism development. They
will be administered by autonomous bodies, which have the tourism sector
in the forefront of their plans. Ghettos of opulence and decadence for
the fortunate few, the STAs will cost the 'silent' majority their economic,
socio-cultural and even political sovereignty.
Clearly, the times has come to close ranks and reaffirm our commitment
to reshaping existing structures as well newly emerging ones. What is
not so clear, though, is the "how", since it is determined by the way
each of us understands the "why".
I invite you to join us in the quest to seek alternative ways of participating,
while allowing for a diversity of responses.
|
