Jalandhar to Goa – An Educative Trip
-RAMESH CHANDER
(THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT)- On the gracious insistence of my daughter-in-law and son, Sulekha and Rupesh, I joined them on a trip to Goa along with my lovely grand-daughters, Suhani and Rupal from June 23 to 29. On account of a long diplomatic career, I travelled far and wide to many countries in the world but, it was just co-incidental that I could not travel much in India and as such I did not go to Goa before. It was a pleasurable and also an educative trip. I, just to motivate Suhani and Rupal, tried to cajole them to write briefly about this trip but they are more interested in making Reels and Vlogs rather than putting their thoughts on paper. I thought of bridging the gap as my pastime.We started from Jalandhar by road in the hot and humid morning at about 10 on June 23 by a taxi. It could have been a pleasant journey but due the farmer’s agitation at the Shambu 
border of Punjab and Haryana and closing of the highway, it became uncomfortable and long. There was no way-out and we had to take a circuit’s route through Ghanour traversing the small and pot-holed village roads. It is pity to note that governments are just not alive to address the public inconveniences and grievances on one side and the public is oblivious of their responsibilities to take into account the plight of general public while registering their protests. There is a need to work out a balance to address these issues to make ourselves a ‘civilized’ society, the sooner the better. We reached Delhi in the evening by about 7 and enjoyed the generous hospitality of our close relations, Rajni and Sumit and stayed over-night with them. The June 23 is the birthday of Suhani and the birthday cake was cut to wish her Happy birthday. The flight Air India Express to Goa on June 24 was on time. Both Rupal and Suhani were excited to see and board the plane though Suhani had been to Minsk (Belarus) to be with us sometime in the summer of 2010 when she was an infant of 1 year.
Some of the services, facilities and amenities at the airport were better than before as it should be. We reached Goa as scheduled in the late afternoon. We were received and picked up by a professional and a courteous driver. But one thing which I could not stomach was that he stopped on the way without even checking with us for fuel in the vehicle. If we want to promote tourism, we need to learn a few things. I was reminded of an incident long back in late 1970s in Hongkong. I called a taxi to pick me up from my hotel and drop me to my appointed destination around 10 in the morning. On the way the driver asked me very politely if he could stop for a minute at a petrol station and explained that if he did not do this now, he would not be able to get petrol for the next two hours. I said there was no issue and he filled the fuel and thanked me profusely again. When will our service providers get this sense of doing a job with grace? We are still to go a long way.
Goa International Airport falls at a location called Dabolim about 30 kms. from the capital city of Panjim in the South of Goa. We were to stay in the North side. A span bridge, Atal Setu divides the North and South. The months from March to October are the lean period for
tourists because of rains and other climatic conditions. The drive from the airport to hotel was a pleasant experience; green and clean with huge vegetation on both the sides. It was raining. The traffic was comparatively smooth as compared to Jalandhar and other downs of Punjab. One of the visible change which was noticed was that there several small eateries Dhabas) and taverns (Thekas) on the road sides. One funny name attracted my eyes – Urban Turban Theka and Dhaba (most probably run by a Punjabi). Huge bill boards for all kinds of alcoholic beverages and casinos and also boat trips greet the visitors. We enjoyed the drive and reached our hotel in the down town Calangute – Hotel Lambana Resort – The Naughty Prawn, a catchy name. It was a small place and but clean and hospitable situated on a busy street. We had a quiet evening with famous local drinks called Feni and Goan Port Wine and a usual Punjabi meal.
June 25, we started with a moderate but good breakfast. Rupal and Suhani were excited to enter the swimming pool by the side of the breakfast hall to make fun and enjoy themselves. Rupi jumped into the pool, his favourite pastime in yesteryears, to help and take care of children. The first day of the trip covered touristic places on the North side – Aguada Fort, Aguada Jail and Lower Aguada on the sea side. Aguada For and Jail are historical places 
of heritage vintage of 17th century overlooking the Arabian Sea. The architectural excellence of Aguada Fort speaks for itself. We tasted and relished fresh pine-apple, coconut water, and fresh mangoes on the sea side while Suhani, Rupal and Sulekha succumbed to the art of braids in their hairs done by the local ladies. Due to the rainy season and rough seas, fishing and dolphin dance, spice garden etc. was not permitted. Rupal and Suhani were a bit disappointed. The next stop was the Calangute Beach. In spite of the off season, it was full of Indian tourist. The site, scenic beauty, was good but was not maintained well; the flip side of Indian tourism. While walking to the beach, we stopped at a government approved liquor shop; a well-stocked outlet of all kinds of alcoholic drinks. It was enticing and we purchased some assorted drinks like Feni, Port Wine, Rums and much more to carry home as souvenirs. I found that Goa was considerably liberal in dealing with alcoholic drinks, beating the double standards and hypocrisy in most of the rest of India. Not only these things were readily available on each nook and corner but were also moderately priced as compared to Punjab. This lopsided policy of the governments and social behavior of the society tend to make and drink spurious drinks but also leads to many social evils and health hazards. We need to make and distribute low alcoholic beers and wines at affordable price and save the common man from taking un-drinkable water. Before coming to Goa, I had decided in my mind to relish the famous prawns and fish dishes of Goa. We had our lunch just outside our hotel at a small eatery called Glen’s Corner. Rupesh and I settled for grilled fish and prawns and also curries with chilled beer. It was delicious and cost effective. I decided to go back to my room for afternoon siesta and watching the oath taking by newly elected members of the Lok Sabha. The rest of the family continued their sightseeing in the afternoon trip of North Goa. We had a relaxed evening with drinks in the room and repeat of Goan delicacies of prawns and fish for the dinner in the hotel itself. I found that service staff at the hotel both at the breakfast and dinner was extremely good and responsive.
June 26 was the day for touring South of Goa. Our first stop was the 15th century church – Basilica of Bom Jesus, a magnificent architect at a hillock. In spite of the rainy season, hordes of tourists were there on a rainy day. One can instantly purchase hats and raincoats at every site at affordable prices outside all these sites for the convenience of visitors. Our next stop was the famous Hindu shrine, Mangeshi Temple in old Goa. The Mangeshi temple is a beautiful temple built in the Goan Hindu style of architecture. We passed through green vegetation on both sides of the road and were reminded of our days in Kandy in Sri Lanka in the second half of 1980s. The temple is located on a hillock. On reaching the 
site, it started raining heavily. I dropped the idea of going up and decided to sit a small eatery for a cup of tea/coffee. Udupi style tea was served in traditional steel utensils. My companions came back from the temple; it was still raining; just poring, and enjoyed Pav Bhaji and other local snacks. The rain continued to dampen our spirits to carry on. Nevertheless, we went to the Miramar Beach which was almost deserted because of choppy seas with high waves amidst warnings from the Guards. It led us to cancel the next two sites; Miramar Yeti and the early evening boat cruise. Rupal and Suhani were disappointed. We consoled them with a promise of sumptuous lunch on the way back; passing the Casino Boats, Atal Setu (Suspension bridge) dividing the North and South of Goa. We consulted our driver for a good lunch on the way. He thoughtfully stopped at yet another Udupi Restaurant (Udupi restaurants serving only vegetarian meals are available readily throughout Goa). We enjoyed Goan style South Indian Thalies and other dishes picked up by children. On the way we landed at Ora Pronovis – Immaculate Conception Church, a historical place of spiritual importance. On back to the hotel, I saw the parliamentary proceedings and rest of the family explored the nearby shops to pick up Goan cashew nuts (Kajju) and some small souvenirs. We have had a relaxed evening with sumptuous Goan meal with Feni and Port Wine.
Next morning, June 27, we had a breakfast of hot Puri Bhaji followed by a swimming session by Rupal and Rupesh. I retired to the room for watching the Sansad TV and relax. The rest of the family went to nearby market for shopping and exploring the lunch options before we move to airport for our flight back to Delhi. Rupesh suggested trying Kerala style Laccha Parantha with Bhaji at a South Indian Dhaba. It was something new for me but good. Children succumbed to their favourite MaCdoland’s just opposite our hotel. It was time to leave for the airport at around 2 to fly back to Delhi. We reached on time and checked in but the flight was delayed for more than one and a half hour. Waiting at the small airport of Goa was not comfortable. It was all the more irritating that there was no communication from either the airport authorities or Air India Express ground staff. On checking with the Air India Express staff, it was informed that the airport was ‘silent’ zone and as such there were no announcements. On pointing out that why the TV monitors were not giving the correct information and it was still showing the flight was on time. The man on the spot sheepishly tended to avoid an answer. When will we learn to appreciate the difficulties of the suffering 
public and the clients? I hope somebody will listen in the run up to professedly becoming a ‘Vishwa Guru’. We reached Delhi past 11 in the night to suffer the unruly and uncivilised behavior of taxi people at the airport. Even the pre-paid taxi could not help as they did not have big taxies. There was no one from the police to deter these taxi touts, regrettably. Finally we decided to hire an Ola taxi which were located a bit far near the parking area. But the arrangements were smooth and satisfactory, surprisingly. Our hosts, Sumit and Rajni were waiting for a late night dinner. Since it was quite late in the night when we hit our beds, it was decided to postpone our departure the next morning of June 28 to June 29.
It provided me an opportunity to go to my sister Nikki (Kamla) in the nearby locality and enjoy her excellent hospitality at lunch, as usual during such visits. Nikki is an excellent cook of special dishes; organic and of medicinal value besides delicious. I spent good time with her with interludes of ‘Gup-Chap’ and ‘Idhar-Udhar ki Baaten’ with regard to our families and day to life. I can say, as a compliment, Nikki is really good at that. God bless her.
We finally departed Delhi for Jalandhar in the morning of June 29 after a good breakfast. We again faced the problems of diversions due to Kisan Morcha at Shambu border. I wish the governments and the agitators sit together and end these undue sufferings of the public. On the way we stopped at the famous
Eagle Resorts at Rajpura for lunch. Eagle, a newly opened good eatery, reminded me of good old days in the late 1960s and early 1970s when I often stopped there for lunch or refreshments on bus journeys to and fro Jalandhar- Delhi. With this, we reached back to Jalandhar in the early hot and sultry evening.
It was a good break for me and educative for children. They were happy. I close this with the hope that children should learn to write, read and learn in the process. The web-site of Goa introduces Goa as: “Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, the 25th state of the Union states of India, was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. It was a part of Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu till 30th May 1987 when it was carved out of form a separate state. Goa covers an area of 3702 square kilometers and comprises two Revenue district viz North Goa and South Goa. Boundaries of Goa State are defined in the North Terekhol river which separates it from Maharashtra, in the East and South by Karnataka State and West by Arabian Sea. Goa lies in Western Coast of India and is 594 Km (by road) away from Mumbai city.”
