It is no more a secret that Goa has steadily risen to be the land of drinks, drugs and prostitution. When I landed in Goa way back in the mid-1970s, the hippy culture was gradually creeping in the state, with drugs being made steadily available, and the youngsters tacitly falling prey to the menace, without the knowledge of the parents. The alert sounded by some concerned people went on deaf ears as usual for the scourge to grow increasingly over the years.

Admittedly, even today we have our leaders ignoring the rising danger that has engulfed the coastal belts of the state and rather arguing that the problem is not so severe as in some other parts of North India. However, the death of two youngsters one each from Tamil Nadu and Kerala on a visit to our tourist haven, due to the alleged drug overdose, after the late night outdoor parties at Anjuna on Saturday, should once again provide an eye opener to the powers that be that things are not so safe for tourists in this state.

It clearly reveals without an iota of doubt that drugs are freely available in the state and one of the reason for the tourist inrush, predominantly the young men, during the weekends and mainly the extended weekends, is to drown themselves in drinks, drugs and loud music and dance. Why should the drug trade continue with impunity? Is there any fear among the people that they would be nabbed and penalised?

There have been vociferous protests by anxious citizens against loud music that is propagated during such programmes causing dilemmas in the vicinity, particularly to the elders, the sick and the students. We do understand that music is feast to the ears and the visitors enjoy it but the only demand is to limit its decibel level.

Next, we are so much used to reading about the prostitution gangs being busted along the coastal areas, on regular basis, which amply reveals that the world’s oldest profession is proliferating in the state, with so many girls being seduced or coerced into the business from other states. Where are we heading? Do we want Goa to be converted into another Pattaya or Bangkok?

I wonder when the clamour will grow for legalising prostitution, with the stakeholders wanting tourism to flourish at any cost, no matter what impact it will have on the State and its people. Uncontrolled tourism can spell doom to any place!