And for a Friday on a holiday weekend in Goa with Family….. some musings….. some thoughts…..
In my Corporate career of more than 40 years, I have enjoyed Goa on each of those more than 100 trips. A favourite Conference destination, every business division had their Annual award nights, music, dance, food, good booze, fun times and happy times. Goans are undoubtedly India’s most fun loving and hospitable folks. I love Goa…..
No wonder the Portuguese who had colonised Goa, refused to cede Goa. India tried hard and in Sept 1955, India forced an Embargo and blockade. The Portuguese Govt ordered special Air services only for Goans. Then came “Operation Vijay” in December 1961 – a land, Sea and Air warfare ordered by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru. The Portuguese Army surrendered and Goa was liberated. She got full Statehood in 1987.
I wish tourists coming in not only enjoy Goa, but also ensure some basic elements of sustainability such as care for Nature, respect for local customs, keeping the surroundings clean etc. That’s true not only for Goa but for all our holiday destinations. Plane loads, bus loads and carloads of holiday revellers are welcome, but let the basic tenets of environmental protection be ingrained in all. Hope our schools start a full term course on Sustainabilty, Ethics and Good Governance.
Amongst Foreign tourists, the largest contingents in Goa seem to be now from Russia. Last year, for E-Visas at the Airport, more than 50{aff5a224634bf574f692c8c7d068a0713fecca4ea38a30d3005107227dbb12e7} of arrivals were Russians as per published statistics. Peak season is October – Feb. Also, foreigners can buy property freely. Not sure what the local laws are and how it is managed. But let all of us teach our children to enjoy and be responsible. Let’s build our country the clean way, the sustainable way, the Ethical way, the SEEGOS way.