Goans were always a fun-loving and to a large extent naive lot. They were content with small jobs in Government or small private companies as long as the salary covered their sheet Kodi, fish and occasional meats, pork and beef and of course some feni and beer. The village festivals were what they looked forward to - one leading to the other followed in the evening by the thiatr. The salubrious air and climate carried them from day to day and helped them live a contented life.
The foreigners came, they moulded themselves with the culture and also introduced drugs (sometimes dangerous ones) to the locals. INNOCENCE LOST!! Decades passed with drug dealers and peddlers (small and big) - it ws easy money but the start of decadence. However, the beautiful scenic beauty continued and the world came to see it. The danger is Now. Now there are huge sharks - non Goan Indians - filthy rich, landgrabbing, starting gigantic complexes all over. Some of these bring with them the worst dregs of moral degradation imaginable. Whatever they cannot do in places like Delhi and Mumbai and other cities due to police vigilance, they do in Goa. Some tell me they can't drink and drive in Mumbai - but "no problem in Goa man". See those blank looking gooks at the beach and rave parties all over Goa. And what about the north easterners. Look at the Kripa map (Kripa is the drug and liquor rehab place with centres all over India and very active in the North east).. Two of the states with The highest incidence of AIDS are located in the North east - Manipur and Nagaland. According to data with health ministry HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate is as high as 1.68% and Nagaland 1.27% against national rate of 0.36%. I am amazed to see hordes of these people tramping the streets of Goa. We have to sharpen our claws and get our act together before our beloved state gets the reputation of being the most debauched state in the country. My poor beloved Goa. How we loved to see you during our annual holidays. What will become of you? -- Bernice
