It is learnt that the Tourism Department is organising a three-day ‘Spirit of Goa’ festival at the SAG ground in Colva from May 2–4. The sixth edition of the festival will reportedly showcase a wide spectrum of locally brewed beverages, right from the traditional and GI-tagged cashew Feni to innovative Feni infusions. The question that arises is whether it is absolutely necessary for Goa to promote alcoholic drinks. It is a fact that many visitors are drawn to Goa by the prospect of enjoying alcoholic drinks, as it is cheap and readily available. There have been efforts to restrict its open use in public places in order to address issues like littering and nuisance. It is true that alcohol consumption is a part of Goan culture, and the availability of alcoholic drinks contributes to the state’s tourism. However, on the flip side, it is learnt that three to four new cases of chronic alcoholism are being recorded every day in government-run de-addiction facilities across the state. The Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) has also been treating a steady influx of chronic alcohol addiction cases. Alcohol consumption is having a negative impact on Goan youth. There has also been a steady rise in incidents of drunken driving, resulting in road accidents, which at times end in fatalities. Goa needs to strike a balance between its identity as a premier tourist destination and the health and well-being of its residents. Tackling this complex issue will be crucial.
