The New Year Eve’s party ended in the wee hours of Wednesday, leaving behind a trail of filth, garbage and broken bottles on the beach belts across Goa. It’s a sad irony that in the name of tourism and economics, our once-pristine beaches have been rampantly allowed to be used and abused. Otherwise, how does one explain the hordes of tourists that were partying in small groups on the beach drinking to their heart’s content, smoking, defacing in the open and doing all sorts of disgusting acts in complete disregard to the laws of the land?
Tourists were seen smoking in the open with a drink or two in tow and there was chaos all around the chockablock Candolim-Calangute-Baga beach belt. Similar was the situation along the Varca-Benaulim-Colva stretch. In the absence of facilities, tourists were seen defacing in the open. This has been an annual feature, and the government of the day has been habitually a silent spectator.
There is a ban on public drinking and smoking in public places. Laws of the land cannot be periodically enforced at the whims and fancies of the government. Litter on our beaches is a grim reminder that tourists have been acting in complete defiance of laws, and it bears testimony to a total failure of enforcement.
The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in one of his Liberation Day speeches asked warring taxi operators to do business in the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava, a dynamic host-guest relationship which embodies Indian traditions of revering guests. Yes, Mr CM, we completely agree with your viewpoint that guests should be treated with due dignity and respect. But have you not failed in your duty in guarding the sanctity of your motherland? Where was your enforcement? A stray cigarette smoker at the popular gadda is promptly challaned by your men-in-uniform on patrol duty. Why were Goan beaches thrown open for such blatant abuse?
The patience of common Goemkars is being tested beyond limits. Promises of standing up for Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn, and even the much-touted Goan identity is reduced to a farce. Goa cannot sell its soul to make a living. It is here where ordinary citizens start losing hope.
The government may have reasons to worry because of its poor economics and the current fiscal crisis. Agreed, there is tourism gloom, and Tourism Minister Manohar Babu Ajgaonkar may have his reasons to dance to the beats of EDM festivals. Tourists are our guests, but it is the government of the day that has to enforce laws of the land. Take a cue from other destinations where several of your ministers have taken junkets. By any imagination, if there is this wild dream of making Goa into another Singapore, we need first to pick up lessons on cleanliness and enforcement.
