Team Goemkarponn
MAPUSA: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that India is transforming itself onto the road of progress under the leadership of the Prime Minister of India and Goa is progressing under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant.
“Goa is not just a State but a treasure trove filled of art, culture, natural beauty said the Minister adding that Goans are hospitable, united and hard working and this is the strength of Goa’s progress enabled through the Constitution,” said Khaunte
He said the vision for a Vikasit Bharat 2047 is based on giving a boost through welfare measures to the four pillars, namely the youth, women, farmers and the poor.
The Tourism Minister said that tourism being the financial mainstay of Goa’s economy, various measures have been taken to provide facilities for tourists and also employment to the women and youth in this sector.
He said the Government is promoting traditional festivals of Goa, developed a temples ‘teerth circuit’ and has been working on building a Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj museum at Farmaguddi, Ponda.
He also spoke of the successful hosting of the recently concluded Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier.
Khaunte said emphasis is being laid on promotion of Goa’s culture and giving that experience to tourists and that’s why the Government had issued advisories to river cruises in Goa to promote Goan music and cuisine.
The Goa government, he further said, has exposed the truth of those social media influencers trying to spoil Goa’s image. He said that tourists had in fact increased in the last couple of years and that the Government had statistics to back it.
He informed that the Government is working on promoting Goa in emerging markets of Middle East and the benefits will be seen in near future.
Khaunte who also holds portfolio of IT, said that the Goa Government has progressed in E-Governance and digital service making the process easier and transparent, for Goans. He said that Goa is becoming an IT hub, for which infrastructure is being developed to assist in design villages, start-ups, incubator facilities etc.
He said that besides starting free wifi spots, the Government will soon offer hot spots too.
The climate for digital nomads has been created and this has led to starting co-working spaces in Goa which has attracted digital nomads to the State thus helping the local economy and making Goans change from becoming job seekers to job providers.
Khaunte concluded by saying that the Government to undertake welfare steps, needs the faith and the support of the public, and the latter should introspect and ask what they can do for the Government instead of just asking what the Government can do for them