Goa might be the smallest state of India, but its history, customs and culture makes it one of the
richest. Is is this essence that has drawn millions to its shores, from far and
near. Over the years, as modernisation gathered fame, Goa, with its quaint
by-lanes, bright houses, eloquent architecture and breathtaking shoreline,
witnessed a number of changes, without necessarily losing what it had.
Nevertheless, the addition of large industries, business establishments and
modern construction, and the onset of tourism, has brought about a change. It
is interesting to speak to repeat visitors who have see Goa change, to learn
whether it has been for the better or worse.
Ingrid Werni from Austria is visiting Goa for the first
time though she has heard a lot about it. She’s here with her friend, Sanjay Tiwari, who was born in India, but has been living
in Austria for a couple of years. He last visited Goa 35 years ago and is back
again after a long time. Ingrid shares, “During my youth in the 1970s, I mostly
heard from my friends about how the hippies travelled to Goa. But apart from
that, I also heard about Goa’s beauty. I always wanted to come to Goa and it
thrills me now that I am finally here. I have to say there seems to be a lot of
changes from what I had heard about Goa then; I mean, I don’t want to step into
a shopping mall, or a huge industrialised building, as these are places I’ve
been to before. I prefer interesting little corners. Goa has it all, but they
seem to be slowly fading away. Of course, technology should develop, but if Goa
is known for its culture, people should preserve it.”
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Ingrid admits that she personally loves a lot of things about
Goa. It reminds her of the European roads and houses from where she comes.
Apart from the positive aspects, Ingrid shares her disappointment in observing
admirable Goa degrade through the garbage and plastics thrown on the road. “It
is pleasing to watch the lovely houses and streets, but the garbage and
indiscipline makes it distracting to get the exact captivating view,” she says.
Despite all these experiences, Ingrid would still want to come
back to Goa, to perhaps see a positive change the next time she is here.
David Simon from southern Spain has had a wonderful
experience spending an entire week in Goa. According to him, Goa has its charm
even today. Even with the modernisation and growth of the tiny state, there
still lies a definite bond that the Goans have to their culture. “Like everybody
says, the food is excellent, but so are the people; they are quite welcoming.
Earlier, Goa was more a countryside based place, now I feel it has become a
city – a beautiful city, of course. Speaking about the changes, I feel there is
developmental growth, and it’s not just in Goa, It has happened everywhere in
the world. As time goes forward, there is growth, more modernisation, and more
techno-livelihood. Although, one aspect that shouldn’t be lost is the culture
and traditions, because that is what keeps Goans together.”
American anthropologist Robert Newman first visited Goa in 1965 and fell in love with Goa. ‘Goan
Anthropology – ‘Festivals, Films, Fish’ and series two -‘Mothers, Miracles,
Mythology’ are his two books writing to the Goan society. Speaking about his
experiences Robert joyfully exclaims, “I visited this land in my early 20s.
There were just fields and meadows, prepossessing lanes, pleasant sights and
silence. There was hardly any business around the areas, no bridges, today
there is a huge bridge that has been built, but in those days, technology was
low. I remember seeing only one hotel near Panjim that was the Mandovi Hotel,
and I didn’t have enough money o stay there. Today, I see so many
commercialised buildings.”
Robert
keeps travelling to Goa and over time he has seen how things have changed from
the time he first set foot in Goa. “I’m growing older but my memory is sharp. I
remember the Calangute beach; we had gone for a picnic and slept there after
dark. It was an unforgettable experience. However, now, I really don’t feel
like even looking at Calangute beach. It is populated and polluted. There are
so many incidents of people drowning as well. The beaches are filled with
shacks that play loud music late evenings. The blissful aura seems to have
disappeared over the years.”
