By far, India’s most politically stable and incessantly beautiful state, Goa truly reflects ‘Unity in Diversity’ in various forms: be it food, religions or passion! Beauty, beaches, beer, sun, shacks, shrines, sanctuaries, waterfalls you name it the state provides it!
As compared to other Indian states, Goa has westernized more quickly than the rest; owing to the pervasive presence of the Portugal natives. Living a truly ‘tropical lifestyle,’ Goans aren’t very competitive and business-minded people. Living a jolly, relaxed and musical life is what Goans are all about.
Music is an integral part of every Goans’ life. Music in Goa ranges from music of Portugal to Jazz. ‘Goan Trance’ is an altogether new genre of music that has gained popularity among the locals as well as the non-natives. Radio stations in Goa usually play an eclectic mix of Hindi and Konkani with certain stations specializing in English and Portuguese music.
Goa is the best place to witness a healthy confluence of religion and embracement of each others’ religious practices. Be it the Catholics, the Hindus or the Muslims, people don’t need religion to identify their neighbourhood. Multi-ethnicity is the characteristic of the state which is evident by the participation of Hindus in large numbers at the feast of St. Francis Xavier. Consequently, the Catholic participation during Dasshera is also witnessed here. Goa Carnival that takes place a few days before Christian Lent is followed by the Hindu festival of Spring Shigmo; and both receive equal and active participation and revelry from all faiths.
A common civil code which confers equal status to all religions without favouring any particular religion has made such harmony possible. The civil code abided by the state also confers equality of sexes in all matters. The law coupled with high literacy rate has helped to keep the state an eclectic exquisite and peaceful.
While every Goan girl is fond of carols and outfits; for the men it is about music and football. However, sports hold great importance for fair sex as well. Bull fighting (Dhirio), which is a duel between two bulls, used to be a popular sport; however, it is banned by law now. For the youth, football is the game. One can witness tournaments and local matches all over the state, every other day.
On the infrastructure front, Goa is awe-strikingly beautiful! The roads, especially the one from Miramar circle to Dona Paula are serene; with traditionally fancy villas along the road. The forests and sanctuaries are vivacious with attractive and tender butterflies; and the fields always look busy with a horde of workers.
Convergence of religions has had a huge impact on the diet of Goans. Although fish curry and rice is the staple diet, chicken and pork are equally liked by the locals. No food is complete without alcohol, especially the local drink F made from either coconut sap or cashew fruit.
With tourism being the mainstay of the state’s economy, Goa is being further boosted by mining activities . Although mining is adversely affecting the state’s ecosystem, these two crucial sectors pump in foreign currency in the state. Many a Goan youth have migrated overseas to earn a quick buck thus making Goa more of a ‘Retiree’s Paradise.’ (Read 5 places to visit in Goa to find 5 hidden gems of Goa)
Having been a Portuguese land for more than 450 years, not many are aware that Goa was a flourishing city at least from 1200 BC. It was a major place of pilgrimage and was termed as ‘Kashi of the West’ with hundreds of Temples. Later, however, the Portuguese destroyed many of these old pilgrimages and built many churches, gaining the new title ‘Rome of the East’. From the time of its liberation in 1961 from the Portuguese to the present-day Goa, the tiny state has progressed immensely contributing substantially to the national GDP and becoming a dream destination for nationals and foreigners alike.
