Going thru some of the pointers by one of my FB friend about Goa, Goan, Goanese and Gonsalves, I was thinking about this small but beautiful state recently in news for its illegal mining business.
Though the smallest Indian state, Goa has played an influential role in Indian history being one of the major trade centers in India. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Goa remains among India's richest states and had always been attracting the influential dynasties, seafarers, merchants, traders, monks and missionaries since its earliest known history. Throughout its history Goa has undergone continual transformation, leaving an indelible impression on various aspects of its cultural and socio-economic development.
Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
But during my last visit as observed the people of Goa are as special as the land itself. Warm and friendly in nature, the Goan people are known for the excellent hospitality they accord to visiting guests. Irrespective of religious affiliations, the Goan people have carved a unique character that oozes oodles of charm. They are a bunch of happy-go-lucky people with a smiling disposition and pleasant manners but little bit lazier for their business outlets and the routine activities. Most of traders not bother the customers over their easy go habits and the similar approach towards their other day – 2 – day activities.
Goa is the premier center of higher studies as we come across medical and engineering colleges in the state. Some of the colleges in Goa also offer courses in law, architecture, dentistry, marine engineering, hotel management, fisheries and pharmacy. NCAOR and NIO are the two national Oceanographic science institutes in Goa. Students willing to pursue their undergraduate and postgraduate degree in Portuguese may do it from the Goa University.
An excellent combination of tropical climate, relatively high humidity, fertile soil, inland lakes and rivers coupled with a natural drainage system literally presents to Goa lush greenery, overgreen and semi-evergreen forests which as a consequence, become obvious and natural habitats.
With Goa holding a notable position in the tourist map of India, there is perhaps a natural tendency to look at Goa merely in terms of it being a “Tourist Paradise”. The Goan identity is rooted, among other things, in deep enjoyment of food and drink. Goan cooking generally involves liberal amounts of spices, too, giving dishes a strange taste and distinctive aroma.
Feni is undoubtedly Goa's most famous tripple, double distilled perfectly clear and fearfully potent, this is a drink which deserves respect.
But on the concluding note, there are things that bothered me as like other Union Territories it’s flooded with the outside students – biking and roaming in groups and gangs. The excise policies, cheaper liquor and flooded with tourists the young localite generation away from the wider growth aspects and prospective is roaming and concentrating on the beaches and other tourists spots for the easier earnings, livelihood and fun. How this dominance, the diversification the easy going lethargicness is going to affect the “Tourist Paradise” ?? Let us see~~~