Claiming the Right to Say No-30 Nov 09-EQUATIONS - Equitable ...

Claiming the Right to Say No
while Goans pay in full. They buy cheap food from ‘gaddas’ and do not
prefer going to shacks due to expenses. If tourists start bargaining, how
will Goa prosper?
• Socio, Cultural & Environmental
According to my observation, I feel that they do not have any special
appreciation for Goan culture. Even they do not like to talk to Goans. If
they had liked Goans and their culture, then they would have gone to visit
the interiors, e.g. churches, temples, museums, etc. rather than staying
on the beaches. They dirty the place.
• Institutions
As the research day came to an end, I visited the police station at Canacona.
I had already planned the questions to pose to the concerned authority.
As far as tourism is concerned, Palolem is one of the areas where Israelis
are easily traced. I asked the police inspector about the action plan in
Palolem. I was surprised to know that they arrested only one tourist
during that season. When asked about the involvement of the Israelis and
other tourists in cases of drugs, paedophilia and prostitution, they said
that not a single case is registered but this information is contradictory to
what the youth who were rendering services on the beach said. They
are mostly involved in drugs and fights.
Conclusion
Goa is beautiful and a peaceful place. Thus, its culture and nature adorn
Goa as an ornament. This creates some magnetism towards Goa. Goa is
a renowned tourist spot and we should be proud of it. But whether tourism
is a boost or a bane? I am not against tourism and the Israelis. I am
against their perspective of looking at Goa as a heaven of hedonism.
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