Goa, which is commonly described as a beach destination, has attracted travellers since time immemorial. Recent data indicates that Goa gets around 80 lakh tourists per year. That’s four times the population of this tiny state!
So, has Goa reached its carrying capacity in terms of tourism? And most importantly, are Goans really benefiting from this industry or are they more like ‘uninvited guests’ in their own home?
This is the subject of a new book, titled The Uninvited Host: Goa and the Parties not Meant for its People by R Benedito Ferrão, who is an Assistant Professor of English and Asian & Pacific Islander American Studies at the College of William & Mary, USA.
The book has been illustrated by artist Angela Ferrão and designed by Maria Vanessa de Sa. It was released on December 7, 2023 during an exhibition of cartoons and illustrations by Angela Ferrao at Gallery Gitanajali, Panjim Pousada, Fontainhas, Panjim.
Speaking about the book, R Benedito Ferrão said, “I wanted to initiate a dialogue about Goan identity since ordinary Goans grapple with the effects of mass tourism and rampant development.”
Ferrão opines that when a subject is told through illustrations, it becomes a useful way to communicate information in a relatable fashion. It also adds its own visual interpretation.
Angela Ferrao shared her thoughts about title of the book (her exhibition has the same title), “The title is an expression from Goans, who experience this ‘invisibilising’ and blatant disregard of their presence in their own homeland."
"While people from outside have descended on Goa and made their own versions of Goa, Goans are at odds with these strange interpretations,” she observed.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Angela has covered a timeline from the 1960s onwards, while the book has around 15 cartoons.
She adds, “Since this is based on an academic study by R Benedito Ferrao, the images help to crystallise these theoretical concepts. Cartoons are impactful and can sometimes deliver as effective a punch as any slogan.”
The book focuses mainly on Goa’s party tourism which has destroyed Goa’s beach belt, its ecology, agriculture, etc, especially in this post-liberalization era.
Many a time, it is argued that “it is the Goans themselves who are to be blamed for this as they sold their land to builders and corporations.”
However, Benedito doesn’t buy this argument, saying, “This is unhelpful analysis. Rather, one must step back and ask why Goans have felt so compelled to sell their ancestral properties, especially, to non-Goans."
"Is it because of the under-development of educational and employment opportunities (beyond tourism)? Goans are left with little choice other than to part with their land," he continued.
"In turn, this affects the environment and raises ecological concerns as those who move into Goa from elsewhere are ancestrally disconnected from the land they settle on; further, tourism and other extractive industries deplete natural resources irreparably,” he adds.
Since Goa has now become a second home and safe haven for people from metros, who are in search of peace, Angela states that it is time to move away from this mentality.
“Goa is not the antidote for misery. Better invest in therapy than ruin some beautiful place!” she suggested.
Both, R Benedito Ferrao and Angela Ferrao are hopeful about Goa’s future even though the current situation looks quite grim and depressing. “There is no Goa without Goans. There is a lot left to still fight for,” said Bendito.
Angela added, “Goa is the smallest state in the Indian Union. But, look at what it carries, thousands of hotels, restaurants, casinos, second homes, rental homes, supermarkets, liquor shops, gated communities etc. Where is the space left for Goans?"
“The real Goa still exists and will continue as long as there are Goans anywhere…fuloi, fuloi!” she concluded.
The exhibition titled, ‘The Uninvited Host: Goa and the Parties not Meant for its People’ by artist Angela Ferrão will remain open to the public till December 18, 2023 at Gallery Gitanajali, Panjim Pousada, Fontainhas.
Arti Das is a freelance journalist based in Goa. She loves writing about art, culture and the ecology of Goa.
