Goa is the original paradise on earth. Domestic tourists love Goa. Their excitement at seeing a naturally beautiful Goa makes them do things that leave Niz Goemkars (Natives of Goa) scratching their heads in both disgust and frustration.
Many a times in the past whenever a vehicle with a tourist behind the wheels gets stuck on the beaches in the quest for that ultimate selfie meant for Instagram or to impress “friends”, outrage ensues in Goa. Then we hear statements like, “There is a need to attract a well-behaved and cultured tourist to Goa”.
Once the dust settles and brouhaha dies down, it is back to normal. This normalcy lasts until tourists drive on the roads of Goa with legs steering the driving wheels and hands holding the bottle. Yes, Goa makes different people do different things.
BJP-led Goa government under the leadership of CM Dr Pramod Sawant has decided to set the house in order. “When in Goa, do as Goans say.” This message is all set to go out loud and clear.
Department of Goa Tourism has issued an order on October 31, 2022 ahead of a soon-to-start-tourist season.
Dept of Tourism declares activities, process or Operation such as water sports activities other than those permitted & outside demarcated areas,….1/2 pic.twitter.com/kBuUz0K9X7
— DIP Goa (@dip_goa) October 31, 2022
If this strongly worded order is anything to go by, tourists will be under intense scrutiny. No longer they can take peace loving Goemkars and surreally quiet Goa for granted. Big Brother is watching. The tourism department has issued a list of “Nuisances” that will be dealt with a firm hand henceforth.
- Tourists will not be able to cook food in public places under the sky and litter the area.
- Beggars will not be able to ask for alms at tourist places and cause annoyance to anybody.
- Pesky salesmen and hawkers will not be able to sell their wares on roadsides.
- Driving on to the beaches of Goa will attract strict police action.
- Consumption of alcohol at public places and breaking of glass bottles at tourist places are a strict no-no with immediate effect.
If these offenders are caught, they will pay fine that will start from a sum of five thousand rupees and can go up to a sum of whopping fifty thousand rupees.
Nikhil U Desai – Director of Tourism & Competent Authority – has given a carte blanche to the Police Department to introduce a method to the madness and fulfil the dream of CM Dr Pramod Sawant who always strives hard to make our naturally beautiful Goa Suniyojit Goem, Sukh-Shantimay Goem, Prekshaniya Goem, Arogyavan Goem and Souhard Goem.
To vacation in Goa – the original paradise on earth – the onus will, from now on, be on tourists to bring along their common and civic senses, and; not to leave the same behind in their homes or hometowns. To cut a long story short, “Prekshaniya Goem” is an idea whose time has come with BJP-led government at the helm of affairs.
