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Thousands of tourists from across India descended into Goa to celebrate Independence Day. And, for many, it has turned into a mixed bag of celebrations as the techno parties they had come to attend, switched on and off from evening till early morning.
Hotel occupancy is at its highest in Goa for the current monsoon season; flight tickets reached a peak and high-end restaurants are operating till late.
But, most tourists who are in Goa for the techno parties have been in a fix with locals protesting loud music being played after 10 pm, and organisers of such parties seeking loopholes in the law.
On Independence Day, most parties started late in the afternoon and music could be heard in the northern costal belt till 10 pm, a time when all sound systems had to be turned off as, according to Supreme Court directives, no permission can be granted to play loud music after that hour.
With no music, tourists could be seen roaming in their vehicles around Anjuna, Vagator, in search of places where music was playing. For once, the sound of vehicles seemed to breaking noise decibels.
“It is very sad that the music has been stopped. We paid thousands of Rupees as entry fee, and have now to wait at this eat out as we have been promised by the organisers to wait until 2 am for the music to start,” Soya from Delhi freely stated.
“We have been coming here for the last two years to attend parties, and never felt that the locals were against the parties. It came as a surprise to me that the locals organised a candlelit vigil on Independence Day demanding that parties stop at 10 pm,” said Hakeem as he puffed on a hookah.
With the music at all places having stopped at 10 pm, street carts and a few restaurants did brisk business till around 1.30 am from when vehicle movements started around places where music was to start.
“It is no fun attending parties, stopping for a few hours and going back to the party again for few more hours. They either have parties full on or not. If they stop parties in Goa, they will start somewhere else,” explained a lady, requesting anonymity.
By 2 am, music could be clearly heard around the village. First, at a low volume, but this grew louder as the morning grew older and the celebrations went on till sunrise.
“We had a great night minus the slip in the middle. We came to this place specifically to listen to a particular DJ and were happy with his set. We will be back in the evening,” assured Mohil as he headed towards his car with his friends.
A large number of tourists came for the parties on four wheelers – many from South Goa, Calangute and Dona Paula.
“My guests are staying in Cavelossim, and they have booked me for three nights to come for parties here,” said Rosario, as he sipped tea near a kiosk close to his parked vehicle.
“I sleep when they enter the club, and when they return, I drive back and collect them at around three in the afternoon,” added Rosario.
The four-day Independence Day fiesta organised in Goa is going to see most tourists leave with a mixed bag of emotions.