THOMAS FERNANDES
CALANGUTE
If PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar tried to highlight, albeit controversially, the ‘bikini-culture’ in the State, pressure is now mounting on the State government to clampdown on a similar ‘briefs-culture’ for male tourists as well.
Amid growing anger among residents of Calangute towards male tourists often seen wearing briefs and other inappropriate clothing on Calangute beach, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has now called for an appropriate dress code for tourists visiting the beaches.
“Firm swimming guidelines should be set in place by the State government to stop this untidy and dirty culture among male Indian tourists,” insists Lobo.
Lobo was responding to rising public irritation after male tourists have been seen roaming in inappropriate clothing on Calangute beach, much to the embarrassment of women and children.
“We have been criticizing Western culture for the bad vices, etc. but what about our own Indian culture, which is in one way tarnishing the image of Goa and Goans,” asked Crystal Pereira of Calangute.
“The most annoying aspect of our male Indian tourists in underwear is that the moment they see foreign women tourists, they run towards them to click photographs,” added Pereira.
Another resident, Savio Fernandes, insisted that the underwear-culture among Indian male tourists should be stopped by the State government.
“We have been visiting our beaches, be it in Calangute, Baga, Candolim or Sinquerim, but we have never gone for a swim in our underwear on beaches. We find this culture appalling among Indian male tourists,” said Fernandes.
“If they come for fun on our beaches, let them bathe in their full clothes or pants, but not in their underwear as there are women and children on the beaches. The State government should step in and stop the underwear culture of men on our beaches,” Fernandes added.
A Calangute local involved in tourism business also complained about the attitude of male Indian tourists roaming in their underwear.
“At times, these men in undergarments come in group and surround the female foreign tourists with police as mute spectators. How can we attract foreign tourists when we are catering to Indian tourists indecently attired and misbehave on beaches” he asked.
Speaking to Herald, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo clearly expressed his unhappiness towards the widespread underwear-culture of the Indian male tourists.
“Nobody should be allowed to bathe in the sea in their underwear as it portrays a dirty and untidy look. There are ladies, families and foreigners on the beaches of Calangute, Baga and Candolim, who are often found in an awkward position due to the presence of men roaming in their underwear.”
“The Indian domestic tourists should not be allowed to wear and roam in underwear on the beaches of Calangute and elsewhere in Goa. Male domestic tourists should be asked to bathe in the area either in proper swimming trunks or with full clothes.”
“I feel there should be a proper costume for tourists venturing into the sea for a swim. The tourism department should come out with strict guidelines for tourists, including the installation of signboards such as ‘No bathing without either a swimming costume or clothes’. Such warning boards should be displayed on the beaches of Calangute and elsewhere in Goa in general,” said Lobo.
Asked if he had taken any initiative to ensure an appropriate dress code along the Calangute coast, Lobo admitted that attempts to ban a ‘briefs-culture’ are dependent on the support of the tourism department.
“We have formed a Coastal Beach Management Committee of individuals from the coastal belt of Calangute, but the tourism department has failed to recognize it till today. We even sent our representation to them in writing, but surprisingly, they have no time to reply.”
“In the absence of any recognition from the tourism department, we cannot act or stop tourists from spitting, littering or creating ugly scenes on the beaches of Calangute or on the Calangute Beach Promenade. We are willing to maintain the beaches along the Calangute coast, but the tourism department should give us the backing or recognition,” said Lobo.
