ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
The recent drowning at Baga Beach was a tragic incident which, by many accounts, could have been avoided. Reports suggest that the tourist ignored warning signs and ventured onto the rocks despite the danger posed by rough waves. Unfortunately, such incidents are not uncommon. Every year, accidents at Goa's beaches and on its roads occur because many visitors fail to heed safety instructions.
Goa is one of India's most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors from every corner of the country. It is a truly cosmopolitan state with a large floating population comprising domestic and international tourists. While warning boards and road signs are generally displayed in English, not every visitor is comfortable reading or understanding the language. As a result, important safety messages may go unnoticed or be misunderstood.
Providing warning signs in every Indian language is neither practical nor feasible. India is home to hundreds of languages and dialects, making multilingual signage difficult to implement and maintain. However, a simple and effective solution is to have pictorial warning signs. Universal symbols are understood regardless of language. A picture showing a person being swept away by waves, a red cross over climbing rocks, or an image indicating "No Swimming" can immediately communicate danger to people of all linguistic backgrounds. Such visual signs are already used successfully at airports, railway stations, hospitals and highways across the world because they transcend language barriers. The government, tourism authorities and local bodies should therefore install large, clear and durable pictorial warning boards at beaches, dangerous cliffs and accident-prone roads.
These signs should complement the existing English text rather than replace it. Regular public announcements and awareness campaigns can further reinforce the message of safety. Tourists also have a responsibility to respect warning signs and follow the instructions of lifeguards and traffic authorities. No photograph, selfie or adventure is worth risking one's life. The Baga Beach tragedy serves as a reminder that prevention is always better than cure. Introducing pictorial warning signs across Goa can help bridge the language gap, improve public awareness and, most importantly, save lives.
