Goa—small state, big attractions

BY A STAFF WRITER

CHICAGO (IL) — A meet-and-greet road show and a video presentation organized recently by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) by teaming up with Air India here seeking to boost Goa as a tourists’ paradise met with a measure of success despite the absence of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Parrikar had to fly back to New Delhi as he was getting a berth as Defense Minister in the Federal Ministry headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, his vacuum was filled perfectly by Air India’s Midwest Bureau Chief Nakul Chand along with Sanjay Shetye representing GTDC and Iftekhar Shareef, FIA Trustee Chair, deputizing for Parrikar.

The show at Ritz Carlton hotel in Chicago downtown was spiced with brief speeches by Vandana Walia and Seema Arora of Vchilli, and classical Bollywood dances by local artists.

A 10-minute video highlighting various sporting, shopping, cultural and leisure activities that Goa offers was well appreciated by the local travel magnates, invitees and members of ethnic Indian media.

Goa, with its beaches, forests, lakes, sanctuaries and surrounding mountains, was enchanting and this, coupled with its celebration of major Indian festivals as well as its diverse religious institutions, handicrafts, cuisine and nightlife made it an irresistible tourist spot.

A conscious effort was made to promote medical tourism capping with its special attraction of casinos in the only Indian state that has legalized, gambling. Architectural landmarks, especially fortifications, and archeology sites were shown.

Though Goa is the smallest Indian state, its diversity as ‘a veritable anthology of people’ was beautifully described by Seema Arora in her speech.

She pointed out with 15 of India’s 25 best beaches, Goa is also India’s richest state with a per capita GDP equivalent to more than twice that of the country. Goa monthly created the world’s first ambigram tourist logo that reads the same both ways.

The Konkani word ‘Kenna’ has inspired its Rio-inspired carnival “Kenna Rio, kenna Goa!” Brewed from cashews or coconut, the local drink feni can be had only in Goa.

The real spicing-up came when Komal Shah presented a Kathak-based Sufi dance she choreographed to a contemporary Indian composition. She was later joined by Ruchi Shah and Akanksha Mishra to perform as Bollywood fusion that drew from the dynamic traditions of various Indian and Western dance styles.

The Air India presentation was inducing in that it showed how only one international airline can boast of a direct flight to Goa via Delhi. It announced several return tickets to Goa for a well-conducted raffle.

Mafat Patel of Air Tours, who all the time bags the top achiever Air India Award, proved that it was not only pluck but also his luck that made him a winner.

He was presented with the round trip ticket to Goa. Attendees received a bag from the GTDC containing its tourism video and other Goan trinkets.