Russian mafia, not government, controls Goa

If any place in India is top-of-the-mind recall for foreigners, it is Goa a destination most popular and most known for holidaying. Its among the top 10 holiday places of the world for beach-seeking holidayers. Goa has some of the most pristine beaches without doubt. It has hence thrived on tourism. But hang on. It may not retain its position for long if the government does not step in and take corrective measures.

While it has got all the trapings of perfect entertainment for holidayers with its innumerable shacks, water sports, adventure sports, Indias top party place with Sunburn being the hottest, the rave parties, music, resorts, casinos, fashion, tattoos, etc, it has another facet that is increasingly disturbing: the alarming crime rate, murders, molesting foreigners, rape, drugs, custodial deaths, the list goes on.

While the average Goan is content with making money during the six-month season between November and April, he is suddenly waking up to an identity crisis. Most of the businesses that are run in Goa are either illegal or not in order. The land runs on black money. None of the shacks accept credit cards. Its just cash.

The drug lords control the beaches, and without a doubt in anyones mind it happens with the connivance of police and politicians. The state government looks the other way, the income tax department probably has no real interest here, and the external affairs ministry finds it too cumbersome to monitor what is happening in Goa. There is no real data on foreigners buying land in Goa, though everyone on the street will tell you that some of the properties are owned by foreigners in Goa. Well, for records sake, they are held in the name of Goans. But that is just a ploy to circumvent the law.

So, who runs Goa? Ask the man on the street and he will tell you with a knowing smile the mafia. First it was the Isreali mafia, and now it is the all-powerful Russian mafia. Nobody wants to take a chance with them. Those ! belongin g to the political class love it because they dont have to make too much of an effort to make their bucks. All they have to do is support the mafia and then their bank accounts look pretty (well, most of them do not have bank accounts!).

Today, it has become so deep-rooted that even if the politicians want to back out, it is difficult because the mafia knows where the politicians have made investments abroad and their movements are monitored by them. Just to protect their ill-gotten wealth, politicians have to toe the line of the mafia. The police are finding an easy way out because their palms are greased.

There are many examples that stand glaring in front of you, yet no one wants to act on the goings-on. The death of 16-year-old British national Scarlett Keeling on February 18, 2008 her body was found in the waters of Anjuna Beach near Curlies was certainly not an accident. Some powerful groups were involved in the happenings. She, according to police, was seen coming to Curlies, a shack on the Anjuna Beach, regularly to drink, and party hoppers knew where to get their drugs. Drugs were and are in free flow in all parts of Goa. Who runs Curlies is common knowledge in Goa. Yet, Goas home minister Ravi Naik is not willing to take action. Why? Only he can tell.

The drug mafia-police nexus has had all baying for Ravi Naiks blood, especially after the Atala tapes became public. Both the BJP and the NCP are demanding the home ministers ouster, but chief minister Digambar Kamat is unmoved and only ducks the question by the media. Its high time the Centre intervened in Goa to make it a safer place for one and all, otherwise it will be too late to do anything.

The goings-on in the last few years have not augured well for Goa. The moment you talk about Goa outside Goa, the first thing that people say is Wow, what a party place. Well, it certainly is a happy thing to be known as the most happening place, a lovely party place, for all youngsters love! it abso lutely. But also with it, Goa has got the dubious distinction of being known as a place of drugs, drinks and sleaze. That has hurt the sentiments of Goans. No well-meaning Goan, who is very proud of his rich heritage and culture, is able to digest the fact that Goa is being demolished by characters who have become suddenly very powerful with money earned from the mafia.

Goans are themselves to blame for this situation. Most Goan children have gone away to far-off desitnations in pursuit of good education, jobs, and opportunities, leaving behind their aged parents and relatives, who are too meek to fight the political system. Many of the shacks and businesses are either owned or run by MLAs and ministers. With literally no instititue of repute for higher education and lack of skills for employment, industry too is unwilling to take a risk to set shop in Goa.

The only gainful employment for many Goans comes from the marine industry both in Goa and abroad. But no economy can continue to run on one industry. It needs to expand to other zones. Goa needs to wake up. Goa needs to follow the example of Singapore in making it a more stable tourism destination, and its political class needs to learn to follow the law. To start with, a thorough overhaul is required in the way businesses are run, to make it a more conscientious society and bring back Goas youngsters to live in their homeland for which industry has to come right here to provide high-paying jobs. And its in the hands of the people more than the politicians. It will require a mass movement. Are Goans ready for it? Time will tell.