We had a long and intense winter this year - that is, by our standards. For people from the North and East of India and for our friends from Europe and the West, it was still wonderful weather: no fogs and biting cold, no blizzards and snow storms and certainly no winter blues and SADs!
The heat of campaigning for the March 3 Assembly elections, though, is starting to scorch the streets! Suddenly there is feverish activity - roads are being re-tarred and widened, clean up drives are being conducted and untold promises are being made. What we need most of all though, are untarred politicians and a clean government. Let's hope the new Poll Monitoring System installed at polling booths will be the first step in ensuring that.
It's
Carnival month and Valentine's month! A great time to be in Goa. Check
www.findall-goa.com
and plan a February 
holiday.
It's getting easier to visit as well. Plans
are being discussed to issue Visa on Arrival to citizens from a number
of countries, mainly from Europe and South-east and Central Asia, at these
airports: Goa, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and of course, Mumbai and
Delhi. Check with the Indian Embassy in your part of the world and come
on over! Perfect weather and a perfect vacation... it's right here!!!
~ Michael and Tomoko Lobo
India's growth story is intact! That's the general refrain among politicians and economists. While inflation continues to be high, it has become less volatile over the last few months. There are other good signs as well - Qualified Foreign Investors (QFI) can now invest in the Indian equity market. This has already reduced volatility and boosted the Sensex and Nifty indices.
There's heartening news on the green front as well. Goa will play host to the Advanced Training Programme on Green Building Rating Systems - a major initiative to impart knowledge about the green building concept - using less water, optimising energy efficiency, conserving natural resources, generating less waste and providing healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building. It's a two-day workshop and we'll be attending too.
There's a lull right now is real estate transactions. The global meltdown, job insecurities, steep housing loan costs are some of the reasons for the slowdown in the real estate market. Despite this, prices have remained firm. It's not a bad time at all to invest in property, if you have the resources right now. In fact, owning property in a growing and attractive State like Goa is always a wise decision. Check out our property for the month - a stunning luxury villa - and other hot properties. Our website www.homesgoa.com has many more exciting properties - for varied budgets!
Goa's leading property consultants
