Being a true Goan, I bet if any Goan has actually explored and practically seen all places in Goa. It’s natural that anyone would prefer to see different places outside Goa and hence holidays follow. I always wonder if, we being Goans, have seen all of our own Goa. There are so many dense villages in the north and south. With such thoughts in my mind I started spending my time going to different places in Goa and exploring my own Goan villages. One cannot deny the fact that our Goa is truly beautiful with greenery, rivers and beaches but sadly the outsiders enjoy it more and better than us Goans. Unfortunately with tourists pouring in, Goa no longer has virgin beaches and garbage problems choke us.
One day along with my wife, I decided to visit this enchanting island of Divar. Right from the Old Goa ferry till we reached the other side towards Divar, the scene was so beautiful with the calm river. On reaching to Divar, my eyes fell upon the roads which were very well done and maintained; absolutely clean and broad. I took my two-wheeler and began exploring this beautiful island. Went to the top to see the beautiful church which was well maintained. Met some locals who were very friendly. And the best thing of all was I kept noticing a lot but there was no garbage at all.
In spite of having a very long ride all around, garbage was one thing I didn’t see anywhere by the roads or school grounds, etc. We could actually feel the peace and tranquility. Hats off to the people of Divar for taking real ownership of their island and keeping it spick and span and hope this will continue in the future. I also hope that the people of Divar will not demand for a bridge which would eventually invite too many outsiders and of course will be a doom
This is good lesson for the people of Goa to preserve their own villages. At the moment our Goan villages are our only hope to see the actual Goa. It is a practical truth that the cities of Goa have gone to the dogs with pollution, migrants, noise, etc. I earnestly urge the villages to take full advantage of their MLAs and make him work for the betterment of their village so that our Goan villages may not be ransacked by the outsiders and Goans may not be lost in oblivion.
