Indian Tourism is under-going an enviable boom with European and American tourists flocking to the ancient land to view some of the remains of its enduring historical treasures, its marvellous scenery, and devour an imaginative array of national and regional curries. The health benefits of Ayurvedic medicine delivered by some highly accomplished professionals in some of the acclaimed clinics and resorts are also a major attraction. Indeed this vast country with over a billion people and its friendly and warm welcome for foreigners and the Indian Diaspora has so many other attractions waiting to enrich the traveller's experience. The adventurous will be generously rewarded in their search for many elusive gems.

Goa the Pearl of the Orient

Goa is a highly popular destination for foreigners. They go there for its seemingly never-setting sun, its splendid architecture, glorious beaches and its delightful mix of Eastern and Western cultures. The Goans have their own language, Konkani, but some are fluent in English and Portuguese. They are a restless people, always in search of greener pastures, hence their fairly large presence in Africa, America and Europe with some of their sons and daughters shining in the professions, the arts and culture. For many Westerners, Goa is not a once in a lifetime experience - they seem to be addicted to the place and go frequently. Many love the sensuous side of the state, perhaps as good as any in the West, but beating them with a divine climate with some highly acclaimed resorts. But Goa also has another side - it is a deeply religious state with large numbers of Hindu and Christian Catholic adherents. The Hindus have their magnificent temples and the Catholics are blessed with some of the most architecturally extraordinary churches and cathedrals, inspired by a partnership of Goans and their Portuguese rulers. Even. Catholic-proud Portugal with its own beautiful churches and cathedrals generously acknowledges the Goan-Portuguese spiritual partnership. The Goans and the Portuguese got on well. Despite their humiliating expulsion by the Indian Army, the Portuguese are still regarded with affection by most Goans. By the standards of colonialism, noted for its brutality, the Portuguese variety was benign. Certainly in India, they were enlightened colonial rulers and unlike other haughty colonial powers, especially the British with their nonsense of white race supremacy, the Portuguese respected the cultures and traditions of the Goans. They treated the people fairly and in striking contrast to the British imperialist racist rulers in the rest of India, racism was relatively alien to Goa. There were many mixed marriages and a large degree of equality, in education, in sport, the military and recruitment to the bureaucracy.

Its a glad thing that the Portuguese fled without firing a shot in anger at the advancing Indian Army - they did India and Particularly Goa a big favour leaving the churches, the mansions and government buildings intact for future generations. Goa remains a treasure trove of pleasure but its spiritual grandeur is still as potent as ever. Go and see for yourself, it will be a memorable experience. While the wreckers of the universal environment are enjoying undeserved liberties, Goa's intelligent protection of its environment is keeping its own wreckers largely at bay.