MUMBAI: If any place in India is top of the mind recall for foreigners, it is Goa - a destination most popular and most known for holidaying. It's among the top 10 holiday places of the world for beach seeking holidayers. Goa has some of the most pristine beaches without doubt. Goa has hence thrived on tourism. But hang on. It may not retain its position for long if the government does not step in and take corrective measures.
While it has got all the trapings of perfect entertainment for holidayers with its innumerable shacks, water sports, adventure sports, India's top party place with Sunburn being the hottest, the rave parties, music, resorts, casinos, fashion, tattoos et al..., it has another facet that is increasingly disturbing: the alarming crime rate, murders, molesting foreigners, rape, drugs, custodial deaths and the list goes on.
While the average Goan is content with making money during the six month season between November and April, they are suddenly waking up to an identity crisis. Most of the businesses that are run in Goa are either illegal or not in order. The land runs on black money. None of the shacks accept credit cards. It's just pay cash.
The drug lords control the beaches and without any doubt in any one's mind, it happens with the connivance of police and politicians. The state government looks the other way, the Income Tax department probably has no real interest here, and the External Affairs Ministry finds it too cumbersome to monitor what is happening in Goa. There is no real data on foreigners buying land in Goa, though, everyone on the street will tell you that some of the properties are owned by foreigners in Goa. Well, for record sake, they are held in the name of a Goan. But that certainly is just a ploy to circumvent the law.
So, who runs Goa then. Ask the average man on the street and they tell you with a knowing smile - the mafia. First it was the Isreali mafia, and now it is the all powerful Russian mafia. Nobody wants to take a chance with them. The political class love it because they don't have to make too much of an effort to make their bucks. All they have to do is support the mafias and then their bank accounts look pretty (well, most of them do not have bank accounts!).
Today it has become so deep rooted that even if the politicians want to back out, it is difficult because th mafias know where the politicians have made investments abroad and their movements are monitored by them. Just to protect their ill-gotten wealth, politicians have to toe the line of the mafia. The police are finding an easy way out because their palms are greased.
There are many examples that stand glaring in front of you, yet no one wants to act on the goings on. The death of 16-year-old British national Scarlett Keeling on February 18, 2008 - her body was found in the waters of Anjuna Beach near Curlies was certainly not an accident. Some powerful groups were involved in the happenings. She, according to police, was seen coming to Curlies, a shack on the Anjuna Beach, regularly to drink and party hoppers knew where to get their drugs. Drugs were and are in free flow in all parts of Goa.Who runs Curlies is common knowledge in Goa. Yet, Goa's home minister Ravi Naik is not willing to take action. Why? Only he can tell.
The drug mafia-police nexus has had all baying for Ravi Naik's blood, especially after the Atala tapes became public. Both the BJP and the NCP are demanding the home minister's ouster, but chief minister Digambar Kamat is unmoved and only ducks the question by the media. It's high time that the Centre intervenes in Goa to make it a safer place for one and all, otherwise it will be too late to do anything.
The goings on in the last few years have not augered well for Goa. The moment you talk about Goa outside of Goa, the first things that people will say is `Wow, what a party place'. Well, it certainly is a happy thing to be known as the most happening place, a lovely party place, for all youngsters love it absolutely. But also with it, Goa has got the dubious distinction of being known as a place of drugs, drinks and sleaze. That has hurt the sentiments of Goans. No well meaning Goan, who is very proud of his rich heritage and culture is able to digest the fact that Goa is being demolished by characters who have become suddenly very powerful with money earned from the mafia.
Goans are themselves to blame for this situation. Most Goan children have gone away to far off desitnations in pursuit of good education, jobs, and opportunities, leaving behind their aged parents and relatives, who are too meek to fight the political system. Many of the shacks and businesses are either owned or run by MLAs and ministers. With literally no instititue of repute for higher education and lack of skills for employment, industry too is unwilling to take a risk to set shop in Goa. The only gainful employment for many Goans come from the marine industry both in Goa and abroad. But no economy can continue to run based on one industry.
It needs to expand to other zones. Goa needs to wake up. Goa needs to follow the example of Singapore in making it a more stable tourism destination, and its political class need to learn to follow the laws and not break them. To start with, a thorough overhaul is required in the way businesses are run, to make it a more conscientious society and bring back Goa's youngsters to live in their homeland for which industry has to come right here to provide high paying jobs. And it's in the hands of the people more than the politicians. It will require a mass movement. Are Goans ready for it? Time will tell.
19 comments:
The case of the Russian Mafia controlling the State of Goa in convivance with the Goa Politicians has been reported in all reputable Journals all over the World.
But I guess Digu Kamat and his mob ,will not be able to read these, as they are too busy counting HAFTAS.
As per Kamat ,these are allegations.
Here is an excerpt from the WALL STREET JOURNAL::::
Crime and corruption also hold sway over the state. A recent edition of India Today carried a cover story on how “Goa has become a fulcrum of world drug smuggling” run by the Russian mafia who blatantly operate in cahoots with politicians inside and outside the government.
AnNd gere is a link to the article:::
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/01/24/india-journal-is-goa-killing-its-golden-goose/
Based on this article,I can imagine the Goa Legislature will soon be located at "MORJIMOGRAD.
The current MLA`s will run to get their names changed by deed poll.
Digamber Kamat will be called Dickograd Kamatova.
Ravi Naik will change his name to Ravictor Naikovich.
I am sure other good commentators will have their own versions.
@N Fernandes, you have missed out Babush Monserrate will change his name to Babushko Monserrativo, Churchill Alemao to Churchillanko Alemaonsko - All these jokers will then be then the Russian mafia officially
Thanks to our current and past tourism ministers promoting Eastern European Tourists. No research has been done on the type of tourism promoted to our once beautiful Goa. There are two types of tourists that have criminalised Goan soil. The foreign tourists selling and using drugs, then we have the Indian SEX hungry Tourists that sexually assault women in Goa. All this takes place under the noses of our corrupt criminal politicians and some of the law enforcers, some of them take part in these activities. The central goverment is blinded to these activities as they are more interested in promoting uneducated candidates to Govern Goa.
What about Pandurang Madkaikar to Paduranko Madkaikarsko? and Sudin Dhavlikar to Sudinko Dhavlikav, Mickky Pacheco to Mickkynka Pachencov
These name would certainly fit them most perfectly. Thanks N. Fernandes for coming up with these Russian names for these Jokers.
Friends do not forget Mauvin Godinho Mauvinav Godinhov, Francisco Sardinha to Franciscov Sardinhav which well suits these two dumb idiots who do not see the disaster taking place.
What about Aleixo Sequiera who would change his name to Aleixov Seqeiravich, Joaquim Alemao to Joaquinkov Alemaonskovich. I leave the others to more of our commentators to come up with
Where are the Freedom Fighters, their pension should be severed for ever or they should fight to make Goa clean again.
Portuguese did not cut nobodies Boles, the Russian will, that's the reason why no Freedom Fighters are fighting against the Russian.
The Political system is corrupt, the minister's feel they have to stick to their chairs no matter what happens.
The system should be changed, no one who has won a seat should stand for election again, there should be only one go.
As for Kamat he is corrupt from head to foot. He is a mouth piece for others, he is a PIMP himself. It's high time the Government is changed and new Election held as fast as possible with a condition that no candidate who has won a seat can run for election again.
One can't blame the Russian alone, who allowed them to mushroom in Goa, was is not the Saligao MLA Dr. Wilfred D'souza, who lobied very hard that Russian find a safe haven in Goa?
The Indian invaded us to protect us from the Portuguese, this is what invader nehru says, what about now? why are this invaders doing nothing, The Goa Police is the biggest criminal in Goa, they have their blessing from the Politicians.
Yes criminals rule the roost and the Niz Goenkar has to stand up to defend what's left of Goa. All the politicians be it Digambar Kamat, Alexio Sequeira, Alemaos, Mauvin Godinho and the rest of the 40 thieves along with the corrupt police force and Government Machinery should be sent on a one way ticket to Siberia and they can take their rotten porzott with them.
Pedro: these freedom fighters do not have steel balls to stand up to the Russians, they and their cronies the RSS will only dig where the ground is soft. If these freedom fighters were genuine today Goa would have been free from all wrong doing which is backed by Corrupt Criminal Politicians. Being Invaded by India we now have to unite as one Niz Goenkar and fight for a "TRUE LIBERATION OF GOA" starting with political means.
Wilfred d'Souza to Wifredev Souzinskov, Madkaikar to Matkavoirich (this sounds little bit like Konkani, Matkavoirich = Only on Matka).
@Pedro.....the Freedom Farters are cowards. They know if they confront the Russians or the Goan CHORS that they will get beat up. The Russians will beat them up like the Taxi driver that was killed by a Russian on our soil. That is why these 'cowards' will only come out 50 years AFTER the Portuguese have left. You see, they have to say that they are 'working' for the free dole they receive.
@all..Everywhere the Russians go, they are know for illegal nefarious workings. Sorry, I don't mean to be prejudice, but that is a fact! In France they started buying up land on a picturesque quaint fishing village. The villages did not stand up bec they didn't want to sound xenophobic. In a few years the Russians were able to buy out all the best spots and build their ugly monstrous mansions blocking the view and destroying the natural charm of these beautiful fishing town. The locals now feel they have lost their village and only hope to die to get away from the pain they feel, as they never stood up in time. This is a true story, and our people need to learn from these examples. It is going to happen if we don’t speak up! I believe if we give them the information they will make the right choice for Goa. Unfortunately we have uneducated illiterates standing elections that are only into filling their coffers for 10 generations! Education is key to turning the situation in Goa, we need to inform our people of what will happen if they continue not to speak up. We are already seeing this with so much of OUR Goa destroyed.
Remember it was these russian bastards who vetoed the U.N security council's decision to free india's occupation of Goa...looks like the indian pimps are repaying them for their favour.
I feel Goans are outnumbered by the Russians and Ghanttis. That is why whenever there is a rape case reported, it by a Russian woman against a Ghantti or as they call them, Indian Tourists.
@ Neil
A favour for a favour, the Russians helped Invader Nehru to invade with Gandhi's ethics, now the favour is being paid off by allowing the Russians to mushroom in mother Goa.
We have to free Goa from the Indians and Gandhi or Ghantti culture. This can be done only through Politics and one more reason to stand by NZ.
Oh those Russians!!!
@ Trevor: it is not prejudice to speak the truth. I have been to Algarve(Portugal) and have seen them occupy large areas of land There was also an article in the Algarve paper about the Russian drug trade. They have also occupied beautiful parts of Africa (creating a hub for drug trades)where the locals there are afraid of them, The locals tried to protest and were threatened with dire consequences. we have to nip them in the Bud NOW or else they will be the next Ghantis of Goa, or even side with the Ghantis. The Goan Media and Goan Politicians do not have the will to speak up.
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