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

Claiming the Right to Say No
them a distinct identity. The easy going attitude of the Goan mixed with
conscientious and hard working traits, love for fun and festivity and a general
desire to carve out an honest living are the salient features of Goans.
Today, increase in population and also people flocking in from other states
made our place dirty to live in, which resulted in a decimation of values
and increased litter in the state. Our civil amenities can no longer cope
with the increased population burden and maintain the hygiene standard
which has resulted in the heaps of garbage, rotting in every nook and
corner of the state. Goa is gaining notoriety as a dirty destination and if
we don’t act fast we are going to lose the brand “tourist destination”.
For the tourism industry to survive and prosper in Goa, it is essential to
pick and choose the markets and focus on the identity which gives Goa its
distinct flavour. It is one industry where people at the grass root level
benefit. We have all the required laws and enactments in place to protect
the industry and the features that have made Goa so unique and the
premiere destination, what is sadly lacking is the political will to enforce
the same. If the key factors that are discussed above, are responsible for
making Goa a prime destination are compromised, it will be the beginning
of the end of Goa’s innings in tourism industry which will affect the economy
of the state and the employment of the people adversely. So think fast and
act fast to make Goa’s tourism prosper in near future.
4. The Pastoral Care of Tourism
“Tourism is the ideal occasion for man to realize that he is a pilgrim in time
and space”
When we say that man is a pilgrim in time and space, it would be our duty
to help these pilgrims as pastors, as guides and as laity to reach their final
destination.
The main purpose of the pastoral care of tourism is to encourage the
optimal conditions that will aid Christians in living the reality of tourism as
a moment of grace and salvation, as this tourism would bring about a new
way of evangelisation.
78