Dubai and Goa have one thing in common ie both are marketed as tourist destinations but do our over confident Goa ministers accept that Dubai with about 17 million international visitors (2023) is way ahead to Goa’s (less than) 500,000 international visitors ( 2023)? Any visitor to Dubai can easily see the reasons for the same; amongst other important things like cleanliness, security, rule of law, etc one major thing I see makes a difference is their openness to all types of communities. For instance pork is forbidden food for Muslims but the meat is easily available to non-Muslims and never did I face any harassment or ill from any of the Dubai locals for my special food preference.
India/Goa also was fairly tolerant for many years but in the last few years under the new ruling dispensation India seems to be going backwards; taking one point food even Goa beef eaters/suppliers are now facing inconvenience from vigilantes who seem to be given a free hand by the ruling party. Dubai govt showcases openness where as India or Goa governments are creating uncomfortable divisions among people. It’s time Indian/Goan ruling politicians “wake up and smell the coffee!”
