Tsunami rave

It seems the exodus from Kerala post Tsunami has favoured Goa8217;s tourism. As usual it was all happening in Goa during the New Year amids...

It seems the exodus from Kerala post Tsunami has favoured Goa8217;s tourism. As usual it was all happening in Goa during the New Year amidst the government claiming credit for the spurt in tourism after the spectacular International Film Festival hosted by the state for the first time. But whilst the establishment revelled in glory, the opposition cried foul condemning the government for tacitly supporting rave parties especially in North Goa8217;s coastline. Reports indicate that Goa8217;s rave parties which have evolved its own music called 8216;Goa Trance8217; are a money-spinner with the narcotics trade being the biggest beneficiary. Incidentally a minister of the Goa government even conceded in the House that he was forced to support such parties because 8216;poor locals8217; earned as much as Rs 1 lakh per night by the sale of mineral water.

Murderous New Year

The serene environs of Goa was shaken by the abduction and subsequent murder of a noted doctor from the port town of Vasco-da-Gama. Although similar murders for instance of former DMK Minister Aladi Aruna in Chennai during the new year are common occurrences, this particular heinous crime committed by the popular doc8217;s son-in-law stirred everybody8217;s conscience. In a spontaneous bandh the port town showed its solidarity with the growing crime that is slowly engulfing the state. Although the culprits were quickly apprehended, not many disagree with the general feeling that the courts could turn spoilsports in the matter!

An orphaned Congress

Whilst the IIT-educated BJP CM of Goa rejoiced in the success of IFFI and announced more such 8216;fast track8217; development for the state, it seems the Congress which is ruling at the Centre has turned a Nelson8217;s eye to the woes and expectations of their partymen in the state. Not only has the centre supported the Goa CM8217;s initiatives at the cost of party8217;s image in the state, failure to give Goa representation in the nation8217;s cabinet inspite of an unprecedented win in the Lok Sabha polls have orphaned the party in the state.

Blame it on the paparazzi

Gratitude is truly a virtue missing among all politicians in general. Scribes in Goa accustomed to singing paens of the IT savvy Goa CM have been rudely awakened to the fact that it is they who the CM holds responsible for everything that goes wrong now days. After being a very hospitable host during the IFFI and consequently gaining nation wide publicity for all the hype whose justification is debatable, the CM finds the press responsible for all ills.