Goa: One can also work here

It is a well known fact that Goa is all about fun Feni and Fish. However behind this fun filled life style there are people and companies working in Goa. The only difference between say Mumbai and Goa is in Goa we also have fun.
Travelling from A to B in Mumbai not only takes time but it also kills. In Goa if you have your own wheels travelling is a lesser evil. I believe I added about three hours a day to my life simply by moiving to Goa. How, simple daily I commuted by Car for approx 3.5 hrs. each way. Today I spend about half an hour. Not only is it quicker it is also less stressful as the car is usually in the top gear and gear shift are fewer and far between.
Riding a bike in Mumbai means you need a bath on arrival as black soot covers any part exposed. Clothes get dirty quickly and your hair gets matty. Goa, it is much better. Ofcourse with the number os cars increasing by the hour, travel times are getting stretched and the air quality reducing. However it is still far better than any other city.
AT one time the roads were narrow and the telecommunication pretty sad. Today, Goa's roads are by and large very good. The telecomunication is state of the art and comparable to any bigger state if not better. Electricity was not present in some remote villages and even if it was there it was with very low voltage. Today Goa is properly electrified and barring a few hiccups in pretty good shape electricity wise.
Schools, there is a huge demand for good schools. The recent ICSE exams saw goan students turnout 100% results and rank second country wide. Students and eager ones at that are available, setting up and running good schools/ colleges in Goa is definitely an opportunity.
Medical facilities too have seen an improvement, with the establishment of a couple of state of the art tertiary facilities. Of course the is another area which begs entreprenriual attention.
At one time teh Indian Airlines manager was more sought after than teh Chief Minister. He was teh one who could get you a seat to travel outside Goa. Today with more than 25 flights, a dozen trains and a host of buses, you cannot find enough ways to leave or come back to Goa.
The local people are up in arms as they see the Goa they know being sold sq mt by sq mt to rank outsiders. Goans are trying to prevent becoming a minority in their own state. Being a free country one cannot stop in migration, especially when the Goan has been at the forefront of migration be it to other parts of India or the world at large.
One way that can shif the balance is if Goans who live outside Goa come back to thier homes. This would ensure that the propoerties which otherwise would have been sold to some outsider will be now occupied by a son of the soil.
Most goans do not want to come back is because they still feel Goa was what it was "back of Beyond" when they left. Pig toilets, candles and overcrowded buses. Goa has changed and Goa beckons Goans to return. In Goa you cna work and also have fun.
Being a part of the team that choose the "Manager of the Year" on behalf of teh Goa Management Association, it was heartening to know that Boeing buys parts manufactured exclusively in Goa, the biggest fibre glass tanks made outside Europe are manufactured in Goa, my company make tanks for trains that run in Ireland, Germany and France. Not bad for a place synomous with "SAND".
As for the goan labour. We have existed in manufacturing for 13 years and the goans working with us are as hardworking as any you may find. But with an added advantage , they are honest and also clever.
So come pack your bags move your manufacturing back to your home town, so you do not have to retire to Goa years down the line, you will already lead a retired life while in your productive years. The opportunity is there can you see it my Goan friend? Others are lapping it up.

Blaise Costabir
MDGMI Zarhak Moulders Pvt ltd