Goa: History, name and a little bit more

Even though it’s the smallest Indian state, Goa has always been a prominent part of the region, thanks to it being a major center of trade. Being an important port, it was the main point of entry for all kinds of people - traders, aggressors, artists as well as monks who were on a mission to spread the word of the Lord to the world.

Goa

Through the history, Goa has had numerous names, including Gomanta, Govapuri, Gomantak, Nilkinda and Sindapura. It’s present name could be based on the Konkani word ‘Goyan’ is which means tall grass as per an answer on Quora.

The history of Goa that we commonly know of now is the Portuguese history which started in the early 16th Century. Interestingly the first Portuguese mint of the east was started in Goa. It was a prized procession for the Portuguese and Goa was actually granted the same civic status as Lisbon. Even after India’s independence in 1947, the Portuguese refused to leave Goa and entered formally into a war with the Indian Union to retain Goa. Of course India won the war, but the Indo-Portuguese relations plummeted though they are fine now.

Today Goa is the smallest, but a full fledged state of Indu and a hugely popular tourist destination. The capital of the state is the centrally located city of Panjim.

Reaching Goa

Goa is well connected with the rest of India through air, railways as well as roads.

However, if you live in Mumbai like me and love traveling to Goa for big and small breaks, there is something new coming up next month onwards which will add a bit more fun to your travels. I am talking about the Mumbai - Goa ferry service starting soon! Stay tuned on my travel blog to know more.

The Road Trip

I wasn't out on the road for the speed, or the thrill or even to travel. Or to meet new people, take part in their lives or simply to enjoy the moment, alone on my own. I didn't yet know why I was out for the almost three days now. Maybe to belong, maybe to un-belong. I didn't know.

The past two days were just the same, long winding roads, green all around, occasional people crossing my path, occasional cars overtaking me, occasional rains that I always missed. Nothing new, nothing unusual. Yes I was on a road trip, but I was alone. I was out to meet someone, someone who lived far, someone who used to be mine, someone who had moved on.

It drizzled as I started my third and the last day. I had originally planned to drive through the night and reach the end early in the morning, but then I saw the sand dunes and decided to camp. It was nothing like I had ever experienced before. I drove into the dunes and went as far away from the road as possible, trying to disappear, half hoping to lose my sense of bearings and get lost in these ever changing waves of sand. A sudden stillness around made me stop and look up, and look at the stars. The sky was clear now, despite the clouds and mild rains in the afternoon. I came out of the car and without even realising, screamed at the glittering sonsofbitches. They didn't flinch, and I screamed even more, never realising how tears flowed ever time I screamed.

Tired and drenched in my sweat and tears, I slept in the car itself, never bothering to camp, or look at the bright dark blue sky and the stars. All I felt was the hollowness around me, a complete lack of feelings, an absence of emotions. There was smoke, smoke of my own making. It overwhelmed me.

Morning came easily and without even thinking I went back to the road and continued driving. When rains came once again I stopped, and decided to get drenched finally. I didn't know if I would do it again today, or ever. But I couldn't feel the rain, I didn't feel anything, at all. How can things be so empty, how can I be so lost? I knew there was little meaning in going forward, and even lesser in taking the road back. The road didn't take me anywhere, anymore. Suddenly I was free of any questions, and my mind sought no answers.

I knew nothing, yet my mind and heart told me that I knew it all. There was immense knowledge in not knowing, and accepting that this was how things were always meant to be. Why seek answers, when there were none? At least none for me.

I didn't survive. I didn't exist anymore. I was dead. Finally.


Epilogue: The body of a dead man was found a days later and a few miles from the highway, rotting inside the car, stranded in the desert. The cause of death was confirmed to be Carbon Monoxide poisoning inside the locked car.




Thanks to Tej for the illustration, read and know more about him here and here.

Convocation series - Random collection!

Well convocation happened about six months back, and so these videos make no sense right now!

Anyway found them yesterday and I feel there is no harm in sharing them now, even if its a little late :)

Enjoy!

On the way to Diu!

DVC during Alias learning days...

Thought from the past!

Lal Cha from North-East...

It was very early morning and I was waiting alone in a private bus stand in Guwahati. I had just come from Tawang, but had reached the town at 3:30 am and it wasn't possible to go home then. Initially just waited on the road and once the waiting area opened at 5, waited inside.

I had made a couple of Assamese friends in the Sumo on my way from Tezpur and the three of us were waiting together. There was this guy outside selling Lal Cha. Lal Cha is basically lemon tea without milk and its quite amazing. It was just 2 bucks and very hot and I had many a steaming cups, which was a treat on a cold winter morning.

Inside, there was a special stall for buses going to Manipur and I inquired about traveling there. The guy on the booth was extremely friendly and tried selling me the tickets for the next bus itself (in fact he was also ready to make the inner line permit, then and there only)...and only I know how much I wanted to give in. But I had been warned and warned and warned again by everyone about my safety there! I had come so close to saying yes...

So odd...its a part of India, but so unsafe that its recommended that you don't go there! But why would anyone want to kill me, I am doing nothing? And I guess that's where the problem lies...we fail to understand. Its easy to look at things only in our own way and miss the other person's perspective. And maybe this is exactly what happened there...and still happening. We fail to belong to others' world and still try to make it our own. Whats the right thing for us may not be the right thing for others...and sadly this does not even cross our minds. For us our right is The Right! But what do they get from our right? Loads of unwanted guests...even people like me, who just want to see a beautiful place, experience a beautiful culture and then go back never to return. What do I give to a land that I claim to be my own? Nothing...

Am having Lal Cha after a long time in office right now as there is no milk...am glad I am, because it took me back to that chilly morning in Assam and the Lal Cha on the road! I am uncomfortable and disturbed, but am I ready for action...am I ready to stand by something that I believe so passionately that I would do anything for that?