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* G * O * A * N * E * T **** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S *
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Dear Reema Kamat,
How are you... I have another article for you... this time... It's just a
simple conversation I had with one of my Kuwaiti friends... and thought it a
good idea to write about it...
Here's the article:
A Kuwaiti friend of mine said to me the other day, "Goa used to be very
safe, with no crime and tourists felt safe. But, unfortunately the crime rate
is climbing! I dont know what causes it. Is it due to the many poor people
who have begun to enter into the state through the many means of cheap
transport made available by trains and buses or due to the Street Trader or
the locals themselves?" Here's what I shared with her
I do agree with you that, of late, Goa seems to be receiving some
unfavourable publicity due to several tourists being robbed and murdered!
Although Goa does not have a high crime rate and is still relatively safe for
anyone exercising common sense, yet, I can't help but say, "Tourists do
attract criminals and con artists, like dogs attract fleas!"
You see, it couldn't be the Goan people who have started to commit the
crimes, because Goans are friendly and helpful. I'm not saying this because I
too am Goan, but because it's a known fact! If you try to speak a little
Goan, they will appreciate and try hard to communicate with you. The Goan
culture is different from the culture in the whole of India. Many Goans are
desperately poor, but even then, the vast majority would not resort to crime!
In fact, Goan society tends to look after the unfortunate and families are
known to stick together and help their family members.
For those who say, "It's due to the Street Traders." They could be right,
but, sending street traders off the street will amount to denying many of them
of their source of livelihood. I remember once asking a little boy, "Where's
your mother?" He pointed his small little finger towards a direction and
said, "She's there." I felt so terrible for that little boy and I said, "Then
why are you standing here in the heat and selling these fruits?" And he looked
at me with those cute little eyes of his and said, "I have to help my mother!"
I ended up not buying anything from that sweet little boy. Instead, I gave him
some money and in return, he gave me a huge smile!
My friend kind of agreed with me about the street traders and I clarified
that point too! If street traders should be moved off the street, it wouldn't
be because they are a nuisance, but to put order to a previously unmanageable
and messy state! For example, the Candolim area is full of shelters covering
most of the pavements with no walking space for pedestrians! This only serves
as a nuisance! So, in my opinion, I don't think street traders are a nuisance.
Why? Because they sell things at a cheaper rate and more available as one can
get things on the way home. The only thing the government should do is give
them a central place where they can sell their goods because if they are
chased from the streets where will they go? They are the people who will start
beating other citizens to look for income. A central market could be regulated
by the government to prevent its abuse. Street traders close to the roads and
pavements should, however, be prohibited and some kind of
order and regulation is needed.
She continued to be negative about the street traders saying, "But, don't
you agree with me when I say that the street traders are not a tourist
attraction?" I replied her, "Yes, you are right! They are a poverty stricken
people trying to earn money to feed themselves and their families." She
continues, "Whenever I visit India, I am bathed by them, and yes they do test
your patience!" I know exactly what she meant and I said, "They sure do test
your patience, but, don't you see the desperation in their eyes? They just
need to sell their goods in order to survive! If you ask me, I would rather
buy some beautiful handmade jewellery or deliciously fresh fruit and
vegetables from the street trader at virtually and literally a cheaper price
than enter a glazed window seller, where I would end up paying double!!!!" She
was kind of taken aback at what I said, but at the same time, she didn't
comment any further!
I continued with my explanation to her about crimes in Goa and how it could
be prevented
I know that each of us is responsible for our own actions and that tourist's
should be alert at all times, because they meet hundreds of strangers with
either pure or un-pure thoughts. It all depends on the image the tourist
presents. But, sometimes, tourists seem distracted, lost, in need of
assistance or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time! With alcohol, drugs
and basically just having a good time, tourists tend to think they are with
cool cats, when they really are among wolves! Even pleasant encounters with
the locals in bars can lead to loss of rupees, if one doesn't stay in control!
Crimes usually take place when the perpetrator thinks he can overcome the
tourist's better judgement!
Criminals know where, when and how to find tourists. And they know exactly
what to say to them. They're nice. They'll ask you where you're from-and then
jack you up for your wallet, camera and jewelry! You'll then have to leave
town or spend all day at the police station filing a report. You'll have to
rebook airline tickets and then have to use your VISA or Master card. Chances
are, you'll never be back to file a charge or testify!
My advice, be sober, don't move around with valuable items, instead, travel
light and never leave money or valuables in your hotel room. Prevent
opportunities like, fat purses bulging out of pockets, zippers on back packs
as they are "Rob me" signs and most of all, trust no one! Do not venture into
dangerous neighbourhoods, especially after dark!
Tourists visiting Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature
of the Goan people. After all, where on earth can one really relax? So, let's
help in keeping Goa safe and crime free, that it may not loose it's beauty! I
guess not holding the Indian Nationality any longer, doesn't give me the right
to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway! I think in order to stop further
crimes and robberies to tourists coming to Goa, the Indian Authorities should
work to develop a Smart Border that securely facilitates the flow of people,
entering Goa from a different state!
Anna.
If you judge people, you have no time to love them!
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