Russia unhappy over Goa govt withdrawing permission for music

Agitated over the last minute withdrawal of permission for an international music festival organised by one of its companies in Goa, Russia today termed the act as an "insolent and starkly unfriendly gesture" of the state authorities.
In a strongly worded statement, Russian embassy said that further increase of hostility to Russian tourists in Goa, who make a significant financial contribution to the development of the state, must be stopped.
"Disruption of the International Music Festival -- Great Live Music-2014, organized by a Russian company in Goa from January 31-February 1 is an insolent and a starkly unfriendly gesture of the state authorities," a statement issued by the Russian Embassy here said.

It said the refusal to grant permission to hold it made under a contrived pretext at the last moment has angered many Indian and international musicians, numerous guests and contradicts common sense.
"It will inevitably affect the popularity of this tourist region," the statement added.
The statement said that an attempt to link this wonderful large-scale cultural event, which acquired so much popularity since its first time a year ago and was eagerly awaited by thousands of tourists, to the scandal over the local taxi drivers carrying Russians looks provocative.

"Further increase of hostility to Russian tourists in Goa, who make a significant financial contribution to the development of the state, must be stopped," the statement added.

It said that such rash actions do not go in line with the intention stated by the Goa government to turn this place into a world-class resort.
"Moreover, they contradict the traditions of friendship and mutual understanding which the peoples of Russia and India enjoy. The Embassy hopes that the state authorities will manage to find a worthy way out of this situation," the statement added.
The two-day 'Great Live Music Festival' organised by a Russian company was to start in Goa yesterday, but state government withdrew its consent at the last minute.