Is This Tourism along Goan Beaches? by Menino Fernandes

Goa, since the olden times is known as the “Rome of the East” now it is also known as "Pearl of the Orient" and an additional title "Tourist Paradise" by many, Goa was once a strong Portugese enclave and presently the State of Goa is most popular tourist destination. Goa is a blend of old Portuguese architecture and lifestyle. The Portuguese heritage still exists in Goa and the Goans are proud of it. The unending beaches and pristine beauty of the seascape, the thumping rhythm of the sea, the big Churces, a Basilica and a Cathedral, the embracing shades of palm trees - all make it a garden of Eden inviting people from far and wide, to discover and fall in love with . A centre for merry making, it has emerged as a celebration hideout for scores of travelers wanting to escape the monotony.

Goa’s colonial past has lent it a unique and distinct aroma sets it apart from the other destinations in India. Portugese have left an incredible mark on the architecture, culture and language of the place. Be it the Churches, Old Palatial Houses and Colonial landmarks, Goa’s Anglo Indian identity is reflected through the heterogeneous Diaspora which thrives, as if this was a different mystic land flourishing all by itself.

Deeper into Goa and one comes across close encounter with the nature and beauty, enchanting Colonial masterpieces as you snuggle through the Interiors of this state, an unique Konkan, speaking people in their top forms.

The new menace to strike the morally conscious Goan culture in the moden times is NUDITY. Though nudity is prohibited on Goan beaches and in the public, the state tourism department is ambiguous about topless bathing on the beaches of Goa a frequent sight to behold.

The tourism department has recently published the “do’s” and “don’t’s” booklets for the visiting tourists. 'While the Goan attitude to informal European styles of dress is generally tolerant, local religious or other sensibilities should be borne in mind,' states the booklet.

Tourism Director Mr. Swapnil Naik spoke to the reporters recently saying the booklet was being distributed free of cost to tourists. 'We are educating people through the booklet. The booklet is published in English and Russian. It will also be published in German soon,' Mr.Naik said.

Topless ladies may be allowed in Europe and is popular with European tourists, especially women looking for a sun tan. They lie topless along the popular beach villages like Candolim, Morjim, Arambol, Palolem and other places all along Goa's sunny coast which is very insulting and humiliating to the local Goans who are deeply religion and morally conscious society.

In December last year, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the foreign tourists in Goa must observe a dress code of some sort. He was responding to questions from the media, immediately after a 25-year-old Russian woman was raped by local Goan politician John Fernandes, who is reportedly close to Kamat's cabinet colleague Churchill Alemao.

Lately, BJP president Laxmikant Parsenkar also suggested that Goa should have a 'minimum dress code' for foreign tourists visiting the state. Congress MP Shantaram Naik, whose comments on rape created a furore in winter session of parliament, said the foreigners parading themselves half naked in coastal villages were a corrupting influence on the school-going children. Rightfully yes it is a fact.

Some foreign governments have started taking the note of the situation and the British embassy has already issued a travel advisory in February to its nationals visiting Goa asking them to observe and respect local dress and customs.

The above picture shows the new culture that present Goa is undergoing, and how the foreigners are abusing the local nature of tolerance. Inspite of knowing the nature of the Goans, such scenes can be seen all along the Goan beaches and needs to be curbed down. According the to locals, tourism and money should not be at the cost of their dignity and destruction of moral values which the Goans hold till date. Does Goa really needs this to earn money?