Lifeguards stir pose risk to tourists
Visitors left to fend for themselves at Colva
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
Even as life guards posted along the South Goa beaches joined the strike on the second day on Tuesday, thousands of tourists visiting the world famous beach Colva were left to fend for themselves at the beach on Tuesday in the absence of the guards.
A large group of children from Mumbai which had descended on the beach on Tuesday afternoon appeared a confused lot, not knowing the spot safe for swimming. The children were seen forming a chain inside the waters to save them from the undercurrents.
However, not taking any chances, the teacher incharge of the group, brought the children ashore and was highly critical about the government not providing adequate security and life guards at the beach.
Tourists visiting the beach pointed out that in the absence of the life guards on the beach, they were wary about entering the waters.
“There were no life guards on the beach. We were afraid to take the children to go anywhere near the water. There ought to be security around”, remarked a teacher who had come with the students.
Incidentally, the men-in-uniform too were not seen on the beach to control or guide the tourists from venturing into the waters.
When the attention of the tourists was drawn to the ongoing strike by the life guards, the tourists remarked saying that the government ought to have made alternate arrangements at the beach. “The life guards may be on strike, but that has not stopped the tourists inflow on the beaches. There ought to have been alternate arrangements, at least the security presence to guide the tourists”, remarked another domestic tourist.
