I read with horror an investigative report in India Today about the state of Goa. We all love what Goa stands for: freedom, partying and fun in the sun. There is an incredible air of relaxation in that magical land of prawn curries, baroque churches and beautiful Indo-Portuguese architecture.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out though that international criminal gangs and local politicians have turned the place into a hub of drug-trafficking and prostitution. The extent to which this is happening is absolutely shocking. The presence of hippies in the state added to its aura in the immediate aftermath of the Portuguese being evicted but what is now happening is just too much. It scares me that the law enforcers of that state are hand in glove with drug smugglers.
One can only hope that the virgin coastline of the Konkan in Maharashtra doesn't fall prey to this curse.
I have always been an advocate of an India open to tourism and foreigners but I think we may just have to have a stricter border control regime. The druggies have already taken over places like Manali and Goa and the last thing we want is for India to be a magnet for the tourist-trash of the world.
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