Not a feather in our cap

Goa has been ranked as the 6th best nightlife city the world over in the list prepared by National Geographic. The first five cities are Dublin in Ireland, Belgrade in Serbia, La Paz in Bolivia, Sao Paulo in Brazil and San Juan in Puerto Rico, which have most of the basic amenities required for a nightlife city. The term nightlife refers to the entertainment sought by people or by tourists on beaches or in pubs, bars, cinemas, casinos, night clubs, dances, live music, parties etc.
Goa is in the list purely because of the warm, friendly, hospitable nature of the people of Goa and because of our virgin silver sand beaches which have been attracting and enticing national and foreign tourists for decades. Some foreign tourists visit Goa every year or on alternate years because of the greenery, serenity, peace and tranquility they find on our beaches and the warmth of our people, which they do not find in their own country. Now with economic prosperity in India, tourists from all over the country flock to Goa in large numbers especially around Christmas, New Year and Carnival.
Tourism minister Dilip Parulekar was quick to react and say, “We must acknowledge this as an honour, as Goa is a safe destination for tourists 24×7 whether on beach or off the beach and is another feather in our cap.”
The people of Goa may take this as a mere compliment but not a feather in our cap. The government of Goa has to improve the infrastructure of roads, highways, supply of drinking water, electricity, health, sanitation, transport and most importantly, infrastructure to dispose of garbage which is left all over Goa due to which some foreign tourists openly said “bye bye Goa”.
Whilst promoting tourism the government of Goa has to preserve our culture and our unique Goan identity, protect the environment especially the greenery and beaches of Goa, safeguard the interests of the locals, and infuse a sense of security in all the tourists. Only then can we articulate with pride the term “It is another feather in our cap”.