When silence defeated sound in Goa

Silence can be, and usually is, taken as acquiescence to something wrong or illegal. It can, at times, almost be a synonym for looking the other way. Yet, when used judiciously, the same silence can act as a potent weapon.

And, that is exactly what the villagers of Anjuna successfully managed. They fought noise pollution in the village, not with loud sloganeering and protestations, but with silent candlelight gatherings outside the local police station.

Their silence was heard above the noise of music that emanated from party venues on the north coastal belt. The flickering flames of the candles lit up the enveloping darkness beneath which those playing the music hid. It kindled a change.

The noise that had reverberated from the sound systems post 10 pm has now been stopped.

Anjuna, quite the hub of tourism activity in the State, is, post 10 at night, quiet again. The students can sleep at night and wake up fresh for school the next day, the seniors can also get a good night’s sleep.

After endless battles with the noise pollution in the village, the locals have finally chalked up a victory.

That, however, should not be a short-lived victory for the people, and also not one that is restricted to only the village of Anjuna or the jurisdiction of Anjuna Police Station. Action on loud music post the 10 pm deadline should be taken across Goa and for any, and all, events.

It is not just the tourism or entertainment industry that plays loud music late into the night, this also happens at weddings and other functions and these all must follow the existing sound rules.

The 10 pm deadline is a reasonable time to stop the loud music and most Goan weddings and functions do follow this rule.

Simultaneously, as this triumph is being applauded, one needs to ask whether music is required to sustain the tourism industry in Goa, a point that has been raised by a section of the media.

While that would be answered in the affirmative, and there are acceptable arguments that music is needed to keep the tourism wheels rolling, especially the nightlife, what the people of Anjuna were protesting was loud noise post 10 pm, which is the hour when the speakers have to fall silent.

Nobody wants to stop the music. It can continue, but at reasonable decibels and reasonable hours. Remember also that the 10 pm deadline is not restricted to Goa, but is applicable throughout the country, so domestic tourists would be well aware of it and should have no reason to complain or feel they have been short-changed.

We need, therefore, to differentiate between music at permissible levels during permissible hours, and music blasting beyond the sound deadline. The latter is not acceptable and should not be allowed at any cost.

The people of Anjuna have lit the flame for some silence, that flame has to burn across the State so that Goans can sleep in peace without being disturbed by loud music or any other noise for that matter.

Yes, we are aware that there are certain days in the year, during festivals, when sound past 10 pm is permitted. That has been accepted by the people and that sound is controlled.

What Goans are objecting to is the loud sounds that disturb them on a very regular basis in the coastal areas. The difference between music during certain festivals and the constant droning has to be clearly stated and accepted.

Who doesn’t appreciate some music? But, can you have it shattering the eardrums through the night?

Anjuna sought the sound of silence with some quiet resolve. It succeeded, and perhaps, has set the tone for further such protests that are neither loud nor harsh.

Yes, it received the support of people from beyond, too, for in Goa, there are others affected by the same and who decided to stand in solidarity with the people of Anjuna.

In conclusion, the words from the Simon & Garfunkle song, Sounds of Silence, come to mind. ‘When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light/That split the night/And touched the sound of silence’.

Only in this case, the lyrics could well be replaced with, ‘When my ears were stabbed by the sound of a shattering noise/That split the night/And we sought the sound of silence’.

Anjuna sought the sound of silence and got it. May the silence echo across Goa, too.