He PRABHU Hey RAM The innocuous remark of Central Minsiter Prabhu on inspiring beverage has set tongues and tails of teetotalers wagging, I believe the other set is amused and happy about focusing on non issue, Goans of high caliber ,in high places, prominent, revered in society have taken a serious umbrage about this candid remark. You have not assigned the tag of drunkards by any measure of insinuation, but some Goans are peeved , rattled and unsettled about your audacity to say so. Goa is not a land of Mahatma Gandhi prohibition. You were right by all accounts, only that we want to hide and bury our heads in the beach , silver white sand like an ostrich. We are hypocrites, do not want our mask torn apart. We do not want to face reality but hide under the halo of pretensions
The tourist come to Goa to loiter in the sun with beer bottles to drown their joys of sorrow and in the bargain drown themselves in a watery grave. The conventions held in Goa are not served soda water or apple juice but choicest of all brands of liquors. In fact new brands of liquor are primarily, exclusively released in Goa and do we pride ourselves over wine festival in Goa ?The delegates for film festival enjoy the high or mild spirit much more than screened films. The number of liquour bottles lying on our world famous beaches and streets are a measure of inspiring beverage, not tea or coffee that is plenty in any state. Ask the liquor vendors who are their patrons galore. Ask the Govt that earns revenue from spirits even that is smuggled out of borders ?. Is there a restriction of number of licences issued ?The Govt issue permits to certain destination outside Goa to officially carry fixed quota of spirits on payment of permit dues. Let us see the number of liquor vendors, whole sale or retail permits are as per our needs, penetrating the nook and corner of Goa are they disproportionate to the needs of local population instead of milk boots that are more essential. There are no mass protests on indiscriminate issue of licences. Are licenses in proportion to our needs of Goans or are they far excessive?.The number is slightly reduced due to high way norms, but it is the Govt losing revenue, which is one of the main component, The Govt filed a writ petition favouring liquor interests. Is there any doubt that tourist to Goa are attracted not by monuments, beaches, scenic natural beauty food and our hospitality but dirt cheap liquors .The hotels without liquor permits are like oasis in the desert .So in facing the truth about Govt ,revenues, employment potential by tourism does not malign our identity of Goaness. Do we label all those in liquor business as degrading our honour and valour? Fortunately Prabhu, the honourable Minsiter did not refer to rampant availability of drugs , flourish prostitution rackets, crimes against tourists and rapes that are doing much greater disservice to tourism industry and Goan pride The Goa Govt. depends upon liquor revenues to shore up its depleting finances, that is promoting liquor industries, destroying environment, causing pollution , much against public outcry. Let us sell Goa, its weddings, feasts,EDMs, Cranaval,Sao JOa parties beaches without free flow of all brands of cheap spirits more so in hotels, casinos, retail and wholesale trade outlets The outburst against an honest assessment is no defence to Goan identity without spirits that cheer, inspire or elevate moods Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
