(Image source from: Which is the real Goa?})
The Goa we all know is on the beach side, unpopular rave parties and rising crime. This tourism hub has more to it than most of us know. The beauty of Goa lies in its serene villages, which few people know of.
Once famous for its pristine beaches and a popular tourist destination, today Goa is in news for the wrong reasons. Goa is in the headlines for its Ministers, who are attempting moral policing in the state. They have spoken out against the popular pub culture in Goa.
However, locals have a very different opinion about what constitutes the true Goan culture. They believe that the real Goan culture has been misrepresented mainly in Bollywood films. Goa has a quaint, peaceful life, which has been forgotten due to the over everexposure of its hippie culture predominant in its beaches.
The laid back Goan life is lost to the world as movies and tourism ads focus on its beaches and pubs.
One local Goan says that the Goan society is very different from what is shown in Hindi movies and tourism advertisements. The beaches of Goa are not the whole truth, the real beauty of Goa lies in its interiors – in its villages, which are inhabited by humble hard working Goans.
Goans feel that rapid urbanisation in the state and lack of planned growth of tourism has overshadowed the identity of the real Goa.
Fashion designer Wendell Rodricks says the culture of rave and drugs exists only in the beaches. That is not the real Goan life. People of Goa live a quiet life. They hold on to their culture, which has been passed down from generations.
Inspite of losing its tourism-friendly tag and increasing crime rate, Goa ministers are harming the state by their unwarranted moral policing.
Recently, Sudin Dhavalikar, a Goa minister, made a statement against bikinis and pub culture in Goa. Such comments don't find resonance from the local Goans. Rodricks says Dhavalikar is right as Goans aren't like that. People in Goa walk the middle path.
Another local questions Sudin Dhavalikar about his anti-bikini and anti-pub statement. He says isn't the minister worried about corruption, or the long power cuts. What about shortage of drinking water Mr Minister. Goa has more problems and bigger issues than bikinis, added the local Goan youth.
(AW: Pratima Tigga)
