It can be concluded that Goa, reckoned the world over as a paradise on earth especially for tourists, is steadily turning out to be a safe refuge for all sorts of illicit activities particularly along the coastal belt, with all turning a blind eye to the clandestine affairs. However, since the last few days there have been harrowing reports in the newspapers that is causing concern.
None other than the Health Minister has minced no words in saying that a number of food joints run by foreigners in the State are proving to be safe havens for drug peddling. Isn’t it shocking that foreign tourists visiting the State have been acting with total impunity, which proves the laxity in maintaining law and order.
Just last week the State was rocked by the news that an Austrian tourist who had landed in India in October, visited Goa and in no time succeeded in setting up a laboratory in his rented premises at Anjuna, manufacturing drugs and was running this business worth over a crore of rupees. What a shameful thing for the State that even foreigners who are new to the State are capable of managing the drug industry with such ease. It only goes to prove how prolific the drug business in Goa is. It is an incentive for tourists both foreign and domestic to flock to the State.
The prostitution rackets being busted in different parts on a regular basis is a justification that the world’s oldest profession is rooted in the State, which is another great boost for tourists who have made it a habit to visit Goa repeatedly. Next, whereas some States like Bihar and particularly Kerala, which is a great tourist destination like Goa, have in the recent past imposed prohibition to protect the people from the scourge of liquor and the havoc created in the families, here in Goa we are greatly pleased in opening liquor outlets even at the airport and proudly proclaiming to ‘drown the sorrow with soro’.
Nothing seems to bother anyone for it is well known that at any rate tourism should flourish no matter what impact it has, particularly on the young minds.
