Recovery from Memory Lane 2008:Non-Violence and Tourism

Non-Violence and Tourism by Soter D'Souza (published in Herald, dtd. 2nd January 2008) Hell was let loose against the convenor of the Goa Movement Against SEZs (GMAS) for appealing to tourists to keep away from Goa from December 28 in view of the intensifying of the anti-SEZ agitation. Some goan vipers used the confusion to spread rumours about communal intentions of GMAS to disrupt Christmas and New Year celebrations. The reaction that ensued from certain sections of goans is not something that should make a true goan proud. It has only sent a wrong message to the world that goans are slaves of merriment, parties and money and care less for their self-respect, identity and environment. It has further reinforced the bollywood image of goans and tourists who have weird opinions about the goan being a fun-loving drunkard or a flirt. The recent reaction against an anti-SEZ movement has only exposed the nexus within the tourism industry that it is not bothered about the injustices against goans. The shameless goans who are concerned about money more than the plight of their own land have only emboldened toursists to joke on TV channels that they want "Special Entertainment Zones in Goa ." Would the people from any other State have tolerated such mockery ? The government and GTDC has reduced goans to circus clowns all in the name of ‘Adhithi Deva Bhava’(Guest is God) and non-violence. The farce about tourism getting affected in the wake of agitations has time and again been used to dissuade goans from agitating for their rights. Therefore, it is high time for us to ask the question as to how many goans benefit from tourism? It would not be absolutely wrong to conclude that almost 75% of Goa ’s tourism only profits the non-goans and international tour agencies. Lately it has even become difficult to spot goan cooks and waiters in restaurants owned by locals. Talking to the waiters in konkani is now fast becoming a luxury of the past. While some are busy partying and making their buck, the larger section of the goan people is put to great inconvenience due to improper infrastructure and lack of basic amenities like water and electricity besides the dreaded sound pollution for those residing along the coastal belt. Further, let us also look at this great goan hypocrisy about ‘Adhithi Deva Bhava’ that is being raised by certain beneficiaries of the tourism industry. It is one thing that tourists feel more safer in Goa sometimes after the spirits take over, but is the tourist who visits Goa treated with due respect and does he get a just deal? The answer is definitely, "No". From the taxi operator to the hotel and restaurant owner, all extract their pound of flesh from the tourist. There is absolutely no control on the travel fares imposed by public transport operators neither is there control on hotel room tariffs. Mackerel gets sold as kingfish and coconut feni goes as cashew feni. The cheapest fish in Goa goes as special goan fish dish at unbelievable rates of even 300 rupees a plate. One can see the tourists struggling to cross the roads at the Santa Monica jetty in Panjim. The news about the flourishing sex and drug scene is also known world-wide. It is absolute mayhem during the tourist season. Is all this part of the ‘Adhithi Deva Bhava’ that is being preached to goan activists by the chairman of GTDC? Who are we fooling? Next, let us look at the issue of non-violence raised by those who are in the habit of throwing stones at activists and leaders of movements at the slightest excuse. Perhaps some of them do not even have experience of agitating or are not even accepted as leaders in their own locality. The term ‘non-violence’ is the most abused word by opportunistic and exploitative forces who want to sedate the masses. Perhaps the opinion expressed by Acharya Vinoba Bhave could give the answer to these confused goans. He said, "To many people non-violence means that society should be disturbed as little as possible. Some people understand by non-violence that changes required should be done gradually, no sudden change. This way revolutions are never carried out. Things remain pretty much as they are and people get satisfaction by adopting an ideal, paying it lip service and talking about it. This concept of non-violence is good for a lethargic society. We don't adopt go slow methods in non-violence. In non-violence you must go full steam ahead if you want good to come speedily, you must go about it with vigour. A merely soft spineless ineffective kind of non-violence will actually encourage the growth of the status quo and all the forces of a violent system which we deplore. Non-violence is an active and effective weapon to fight against injustice and at the same time to build an alternative society." So, how does a mere call to tourists not to visit the State get interpreted as violence and as being anti-goan? Activists who in the seventies questioned the type of tourism being promoted by the government had beeen labeled as being anti-development and anti-nationals both by politicians and the local people. What is the plight of these locals today? Let it be known that all goans are not fools and have the ability to see through the farce and have the resilience to withstand criticisms. This tourism is nothing but a tourism of the underworld. So let us not forget that the present tourism that is being promoted and controlled more so by non-goans, who are here to make huge profits, will only help drive away the genuine tourists. Does this tourism that is being promoted have any flavour of goan life and culture? Lastly, it should also be remembered that most of those agitating against SEZs would also like to enjoy life and live cushy lives like many others instead of getting abused by irresponsible goans and being harassed by law enforcing authorities. If there is any goan who has ensured that people’s struggles are successful without use of minimal force and without a bit of inconvenience to public, then it is he who has the right to criticise. If any goan has ensured that the tourist who visits Goa is actually treated like a God, then it is he who has the right to throw the first stone at the GMAS convenor. The GTDC gets paid to promote tourism and those benefiting from the loot in tourism will use any tactic to justify their trade. It is the aam admi who should be asking the question, whether Goa's tourism that is promoted is non-violent? Whether the guest who visits Goa is really treated like a God? And, whether Goa's tourism is really beneficial to a major section of the goan society?