Shashank Mahatme
The Government of Goa must be given due credit for the new laws legislated to regulate the behaviour of tourists visiting our small State. However, as a tourist destination, Goa has sadly been promoted over the years as a State for merrymaking and enjoyment, an image that would take doubly longer than making, to undo. Indian citizenry at large connect such a picture with ease of availability of cheap liquor, women and music.
Now with the new set of laws it is mandatory to ensure that the implications of improper behaviour are made clear to all visiting Goa at the very time they set foot on our land, in case we wish to seriously see a change in their behaviour, while in Goa. Else, it will be another opportunity for some crooked enforcement Officers to ensure their pockets are further well lined, while the cause for which these laws are enacted would be defeated.
It must be made mandatory for all tourists to know at the outset what the permissible ‘Do’s and Dont’s’ are, in Goa. For the purpose, the Government must enumerate all points which ideally be:
1. Put up via proper bill boards at every entry point into Goa (road network, railway stations, airport, ports etc) as also at strategic locations of touristic importance
2. Print en-mass as standardised handouts (pamphlets) to be handed over by the RTO (or their henchmen who are aplenty) at every entry point to every bus, car, truck etc. (Once the above is done, a small sticker stating something like “Yes, I’ve been educated” to be stuck on every vehicle entering the borders, which will commit the tourists that they have been informed of the Do’s & Dont’s and thereafter if they wilfully violate the law, they would invite penal action. These stickers could be peeled off once the vehicles leave Goa.)
3. Every hotel / lodging / boarding / places of tourist interest must put up proper legible tent cards in prominent places including rooms
In order to facilitate tourists who anyways wish to cook (which includes truck drivers etc who often are seen stopping by the road side and cooking their food), the government could identify suitable locations where such facilities including parking and toilets are also provided.
Finally, one very important point is also to mention about the use of low beams during driving at nights, as most drivers tend to use high beams which blind oncoming drivers.
Use of the above would not only ensure discipline in Goa and all laws to be adhered to but would also save the tourists from being fleeced, make Goa a safer place and a State where they all could enjoy peacefully and return home with pleasant memories of their vacations.
It is now for the authorities that be, to take note of the above and further the cause if they find the suggestions worthwhile.
