29 Nov 2020  |   05:09am IST

Nothing is secret about parties in Goa. Even 'secret' parties

The underground party scene is red hot with parties happening all over the place I North Goa. The venues are kept secret and revealed via whatsapp messages at the last minute. Café spoke to people to ask them how they felt about these parties being held at a time when the virus was still running wild.
Nothing is secret about parties in Goa. Even 'secret' parties

Ajit John

The paintings are by Godot and the music by Mr Yin and Yan. Commencing once the sun sets the location of the show will be Whatsapped to those interested. Called the Garden of Delight, no, this is not some show featuring high art. Dismiss that thought from your brain.  This was an invite to a trance party that would start on Saturday evening and end sometime in the early hours of Sunday. This is nothing unusual but rather the norm. These parties are held all over the north and the frequency of these parties will leave one with the impression that the virus which had changed life as everyone knew had receded.  It would like Goa was pretending that life was now normal and what ever happened earlier in the year was a bad dream.   

The reaction to this from Goans was one of resignation and frustration. Sidharth Mehta said Goa was branded as fun’s own country as this was known across the world as the one destination where the party never ended. He said “Despite the worst pandemic recorded in human history the virus has not been able to distance people from partying. The underground rave parties, late night dance parties continue particularly on the North Goa coastline. It is now the new normal but it is time the administration cracked down till the vaccine comes.” 

Kane Barretto a businessman based in Candolim said rave parties and Goa had always made the headlines. He said “Despite the entire economy coming to standstill there have been hordes of tourists continuing to flock to Goa, their favorite destination. I have seen roads in Calangute, Candolim and Baga with vehicles registered in either Maharashtra or Karnataka. The people are dependent on business and these parties are happening right under the nose of the administration. It is time to crack down very hard with hefty fines levied”.

Ritesh Raikar expressed his anguish at the spate of rave parties happening in Arambol and Mandrem without any checks. The concern about this proliferation was also expressed by students. Kunal Kunkolienkar from Margao said Goa had turned into a hub for underground rave parties by turning a blind eye to the Covid norms. Cases, he said were increasing by the day and it would not be long before the second phase was experienced by the people of Goa. He said “These people don’t seem to have any sense of responsibility and they will eventually suffer if they contract the virus”.

Vivek Kudaskar said “An organiser of rave parties who wished to stay anonymous said he was happy because he was providing a service that no one else could. He said he was proud of what he and his team were doing. We cannot keep blaming the government, we have to take responsibility but people are displaying their carelessness and the general society is paying for it.”

Hardik Tari attributed this to the corruption among people. He said “Some people know what is going on but still keep quiet because of the huge amount of money they are earning. Secondly the influential create such groups and conduct rave parties with the help of some locals. Government officials should keep an eye on each and every place where they visit. Thirdly there should be strict checking at the borders, railway station, Air ports and even harbours as they have a very strong network through which they can transport drugs and other such stuffs.

Omi a musician based in Vasco said Goa had been in the news for the wrong reasons and when a fight broke out a rave party in Arpora, no one was surprised. He said “More than the Government it's the mindset of the people which is to be blamed here. Typical of a culture where sex education is kind of taboo yet we have one of largest population in the world. Same thing happens where these underground parties are concerned, we condemn yet the need to make fast bucks makes us forget everything. We never realise the severity of it unless one of our own gets affected”.

As a long time resident of Goa and fervent party hopper said nothing would change unless there was a political urge and that was now missing now. One can only hope better sense prevails and this worrying situation is handled firmly.

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar