The origin of the city name "Goa" is unclear. In ancientliterature, Goa was known by many names, such asGomanchala,Gopakapattana,Gopakapattam,Gopakapuri,Govapuri,Govem, andGomantak.[18] Other historical names for Goa areSindapur,Sandabur, andMahassapatam.[19]
Rock art engravings found in Goa are one of the earliest known traces of human life in India.[20] Goa, situated within the Shimoga-Goa Greenstone Belt in theWestern Ghats (an area composed ofmetavolcanics, iron formations and ferruginous quartzite), yields evidence forAcheulean occupation.[21]Rock art engravings (petroglyphs) are present on laterite platforms and granite boulders inUsgalimal near the west flowingKushavati river and in Kajur.[22] In Kajur, the rock engravings of animals, tectiforms and other designs in granite have been associated with what is considered to be a megalithic stone circle with a round granite stone in the centre.[23]Petroglyphs, cones, stone-axe, and choppers dating to 10,000 years ago have been found in various locations in Goa, including Kazur, Mauxim, and theMandovi-Zuari basin.[24] Recently these petroglyphs have been included in the tentativelist of UNESCO world heritage sites.
Evidence ofPaleolithic life is visible at Dabolim, Adkon, Shigao, Fatorpa, Arli, Maulinguinim, Diwar, Sanguem, Pilerne, and Aquem-Margaon. Difficulty incarbon dating the laterite rock compounds poses a problem for determining the exact time period.[25]
Early Goan society underwent radical change whenIndo-Aryan andDravidian migrants amalgamated with the aboriginal locals, forming the base of early Goan culture.[26]
In 1312, Goa came under the governance of theDelhi Sultanate.[31] The kingdom's grip on the region was weak, and by 1370 it was forced to surrender it toHarihara I of theVijayanagara Empire. The Vijayanagara monarchs held on to the territory until 1469 when it was appropriated by theBahmani Sultanate. After that dynasty crumbled, the area fell into the hands of theSultanate of Bijapur, who established as their auxiliary capital the city known under the Portuguese asVelha Goa (or Old Goa).[32]
In 1510, the Portuguese defeated the ruling Bijapur sultanYusuf Adil Shah with the help of a local ally, Thimmayya[33] orTimoji, aprivateer.[34] They set up a permanent settlement inVelha Goa (Old Goa). This was the beginning ofPortuguese colonial rule in Goa that would last for four and a half centuries, until itsannexation by India in 1961. TheGoa Inquisition, a formal tribunal, was established in 1560, and was finally abolished in 1812.[35]
From the latter decades of the eighteenth century, the territory of Goa was composed of two segments: the central nucleus of theVelhas Conquistas (Old Conquests)—Bardes, Ilhas de Goa, and Salcette—which territories had been under Portuguese administration since the sixteenth century; and theNovas Conquistas (New Conquests)—Bicholim, Canacona, Pernem, Quepem, Sattari, and Sanguem—territories which had been successively added through the eighteenth century.[citation needed]
In 1787, Goa experienced its first revolt from its Catholic elite, with thePinto Revolt led by a Goan noble family who revolted against the Portuguese due to racial discrimination in administration and clergy. They were betrayed by a member of the revolt. The Portuguese government executed some of the family members, while others, such asAbbe Faria, went on to join theFrench Revolution. This remains legend in Goa today.
Coat of Arms of the Pintos, awarded by the King of Portugal in 1770
In 1843, the Portuguese moved the capital to theCidade da Nova Goa (City of New Goa), today known asPanaji (Panjim), fromVelha Goa (Old Goa). By the mid-18th century, Portuguese expansions lost other possessions in India until their borders stabilised and formed theGoa, Daman and Diu, which includedSilvassa prior to the Annexation, it was known asEstado da Índia inPortuguese.
AfterIndia gained independence fromBritish rule in 1947, India requested that Portuguese territories on the Indian subcontinent be ceded to India. Portugal refused to negotiate on the sovereignty of its Indian enclaves. On 19 December 1961, the Indian Army invaded withOperation Vijay resulting in theannexation of Goa,[39] and ofDaman and Diu islands into the Indian union.Goa, Daman and Diu, were organised as a single centrally administeredunion territory of India.[40] On 16 January 1967 areferendum was held in Goa, to decide the future of the Union Territory ofGoa, Daman and Diu. It was the only referendum to have been held in independent India. The referendum offered the people of Goa a choice between continuing as aunion territory or merging with the state ofMaharashtra and the majority chose the former.[41][42][43] On 30 May 1987, the union territory was split, and Goa was made India's twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining a union territory.[44]
Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 km2 (1,429 sq mi). It lies between the latitudes 14°53′54″ N and 15°40′00″ N and longitudes 73°40′33″ E and 74°20′13″ E.[45]
Goa is a part of the coastal country known as theKonkan, which is an escarpment rising up to the Western Ghats range of mountains, which separate it from theDeccan Plateau. The highest point is theSonsogor Peak, with an altitude of 1,026 m (3,366 ft). Goa has a coastline of 160 km (99 mi).[citation needed]
Goa's seven major rivers are theMandovi,Zuari,Terekhol,Chapora, Galgibag, Cumbarjua canal, Talpona, and theSal.[46] The Zuari and the Mandovi are the most important rivers, interspaced by the Cumbarjua canal, forming a major estuarine complex.[46] These rivers are fed by the Southwest monsoon rain and their basin covers 69% of the state's geographical area.[46] These rivers are some of the busiest in India. Goa has more than 40 estuarine, eight marine, and about 90 riverine islands. The total navigable length of Goa's rivers is 253 km (157 mi). Goa has more than 300 ancient water tanks built during the rule of the Kadamba dynasty and over 100 medicinal springs.[citation needed]
Mormugao harbour on the mouth of theZuari river is considered one of the best natural harbours in South Asia.[citation needed]
Most of Goa's soil cover is made up oflaterites rich in ferric-aluminum oxides and reddish in colour. Further inland and along the riverbanks, the soil is mostlyalluvial andloamy. The soil is rich in minerals and humus, thus conducive to agriculture. Some of the oldest rocks in the Indian subcontinent are found in Goa betweenMolem andAnmod on Goa's border withKarnataka. The rocks are classified asTrondjemeitic Gneiss estimated to be 3,600 million years old, dated byrubidium isotope dating. A specimen of the rock is exhibited atGoa University.[citation needed]
Goa features atropical monsoon climate under theKöppen climate classification. Goa, being in the torrid zone and near theArabian Sea, has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. The month of May is usually the hottest, seeing daytime temperatures of over 35 °C (95 °F) coupled with high humidity. The state's three seasons aresouthwest monsoon period (June–September), post-monsoon period (October–January), and pre-monsoon period (February–May).[46] Over 90% of the average annual rainfall (3,048 mm or 120 in) is received during the monsoon season.[46]
Equatorial forest cover in Goa stands at 1,500 km2 (579 sq mi),[18] most of which is owned by the government. Government-owned forest is estimated at 1,300 km2 (502 sq mi) while private is given as 200 km2 (77 sq mi).Most of the forests in the state are located in the interior eastern regions of the state. TheWestern Ghats, which form most of eastern Goa, have been internationally recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. In the February 1999 issue ofNational Geographic Magazine, Goa was compared with the Amazon and the Congo basins for its rich tropical biodiversity.[49]
Goa's wildlife sanctuaries boast of more than 1512 documented species of plants, over 275 species of birds, over 48 kinds of animals and over 60 genera of reptiles.[50]Nanda Lake is the first and the only Ramsar wetland site in Goa.[51]
Goa is also known for its coconut cultivation. The coconut tree has been reclassified by the government as a palm (like grass), enabling farmers and real estate developers to clear land with fewer restrictions.[citation needed]
Rice is the main food crop, and pulses (legume),Ragi (Finger Millet), and other food crops are also grown. Main cash crops are arecanut, coconut, cashew nut, sugar cane, and fruits like banana, mango, and pineapple.[18] Goa's state animal is theGaur, the state bird is theFlame-throatedBulbul, and the state tree is theIndian Laurel.[citation needed]
The important forest products are bamboo canes,Maratha barks, chillar barks, and thebhirand. Coconut palm trees are common throughout Goa barring the elevated regions. A variety ofdeciduous trees, such as teak, Sal tree, cashew, and mango trees are present. Fruits include jackfruit, mango, pineapple, and blackberry. Goa's forests are rich in medicinal plants.[52]
Goa has more than 33% of its geographic area under government forests (1,224.38 km2 or 472.74 sq mi) of which about 62% has been brought under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park. Since there is a substantial area under private forests and a large tract under cashew, mango, coconut, etc. plantations, the total forest and tree cover constitutes 56.6% of the geographic area.[citation needed]
A native of Goa is called aGoan. Goa has a population of 1.459 million residents as of 2011,[54] making it the fourth least populated state of India afterSikkim,Mizoram, andArunachal Pradesh. Population density of Goa is 394 per km2 which is higher than national average 382 per km2. Goa is the state with highest proportion of urban population with 62.17% of the population living in urban areas. Thesex ratio is 973 females to 1,000 males. The birth rate was 15.70 per 1,000 people in 2007. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 1.74% and 10.23% of the population respectively. As of the 2011 census, over 76% of the population was born in Goa, while just over half of migrants to the state are from the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra.[55] As per a 2021 report, over 50% of the permanent resident population is of non-Goan origin, outnumbering the native ethnic Goan population.[56]
According to the NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025, Goa ranks third with a score of 53.6.[57]
The Official Language Act, 1987, of the erstwhile Union Territory ofGoa, Daman and Diu makesKonkani in theDevanagari script the sole official language of Goa, but provides thatMarathi may also be used "for all or any of the official purposes".Portuguese was the sole official language duringPortuguese colonial rule. The government also has a policy of replying in Marathi to correspondence received in Marathi.[60] There have been demands for accordingKonkani in the Roman script official status in the state. There is widespread support for keeping Konkani as the sole official language of Goa.[61]
Konkani is spoken as a first language by about 66.11% of the people in the state, but almost all Goans can speak and understand Konkani. A large population of people can speak and understand English as well. Other linguistic groups in the state per the 2011 census are speakers ofMarathi (10.89%),Hindi (8.64%),Kannada (4.65%),Urdu (2.83%), andPortuguese (1%).[62]
Historically, Konkani was neither the official nor the administrative language of the many rulers of the State. Under theKadambas (c. 960–1310), the court language was Kannada. When under Muslim rule (1312–1370 and 1469–1510), the official and cultural language wasPersian. Various stones in theArchaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery from the period are inscribed in Kannada and Persian.[63] During the period in between the two periods of Muslim rule, theVijayanagara Empire, which had control of the state, mandated the use ofKannada andTelugu.[63]
According to the 2011 census, in a population of 1,458,545 people, 66.1% wereHindu, 25.1% wereChristian, 8.3% wereMuslim, and 0.1% wereSikh.[54]
According to the 1909 statistics in theCatholic Encyclopedia, the totalCatholic population inPortuguese Goa was 293,628 out of a total population of 365,291 (80.33%).[64] Since the 20th century, the percentage ofGoan Catholics has been facing continual decline caused by a combination of permanent emigration from Goa to cosmopolitan Indian cities (e.g.Mumbai,Pune,Bangalore) and foreign countries (e.g.Portugal, theUnited Kingdom)[65] with the mass immigration of non-Christians from the rest of India since the 20th century.[66] As of 2021, ethnicGoans represent less than 50% of the state's residents.[56]
The politics of Goa are a result of the uniqueness of this region due to 450 years of Portuguese rule, in comparison to two centuries of British rule experienced by most of the rest of India. TheIndian National Congress was unable to achieve electoral success in the first two decades after the State's incorporation into India.[68] Instead, the state was dominated by the regional political parties likeMaharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and theUnited Goans Party.[69]
Goa has two members of parliament (MP) elected from each district representing the state in theLok Sabha (House of the People), the lower house of the nationalParliament of India. It is also has one member of parliament in theRajya Sabha (Council of the States), the upper house of the Indian parliament.[citation needed]
Goa has aunicamerallegislature, theGoa Legislative Assembly, of 40 members, headed by a speaker. The chief minister heads the executive, which is made up of the party or coalition elected with a majority in the legislature. The governor, the head of the state, is appointed by thepresident of India. After having stable governance for nearly thirty years up to 1990, Goa is now notorious for its political instability having seen fourteen governments in the span of the fifteen years between 1990 and 2005.[70]
In March 2005, the assembly was dissolved by the Governor andPresident's Rule was declared, which suspended the legislature. A by-election in June 2005 saw the Indian National Congress coming back to power after winning three of the five seats that went to polls. TheCongress Party and theBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the two largest parties in the state. In the assembly poll of 2007, the INC-led coalition won and formed the government.[71] In the 2012 Vidhan Sabha Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party along with theMaharashtrawadi Gomantak Party won a clear majority, forming the new government withManohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister. Other parties include theUnited Goans Democratic Party, theNationalist Congress Party.[72]
In the2017 assembly elections, theIndian National Congress gained the most seats, with the BJP coming in second. However, no party was able to gain a majority in the 40 member house. The BJP was invited to form the Government by GovernorMridula Sinha. The Congress claimed the use of money power on the part of the BJP and took the case to the Supreme Court. However, the Manohar Parikkar led Government was able to prove its majority in theSupreme Court mandated "floor test".[73][74][75]
Gross State Domestic Product (in millions of Rupees)[77]
Year
GSDP
1980
3,980
1985
6,550
1990
12,570
1995
33,190
2000
76,980
2010
150,000
Goa's state domestic product for 2017 is estimated at $11 billion at current prices. Goa is India's richest state with the highest GDP per capita—two and a half times that of the country—with one of its fastest growth rates: 8.23% (yearly average 1990–2000).[78] Tourism is Goa's primary industry: it gets 12%[79] of foreign tourist arrivals in India. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In winter, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come, and summer (which, in Goa, is the rainy season) sees tourists from across India. Goa'snet state domestic product (NSDP) was around US$7.24 billion in 2015–16.[80]
The land away from the coast is rich in minerals and ores, and mining forms the second largest industry. Iron, bauxite, manganese, clays, limestone, and silica are mined. TheMormugao port handled 31.69 a million tonnes of cargo in 2007, which was 39% of India's total iron ore exports.Sesa Goa (now owned by Vedanta Resources) and Dempo are the lead miners. Rampant mining has been depleting the forest cover as well as posing a health hazard to the local population. Corporations are also mining illegally in some areas. During 2015–16, the total traffic handled by Mormugao port was recorded to be 20.78 million tonnes.[citation needed]
Vasantrao S. Dempo, aristocrat and Industrialist, one of Goa's wealthiest mining barons
Agriculture, while of shrinking importance to the economy over the past four decades, offers part-time employment to a sizeable portion of the populace. Rice is the main agricultural crop, followed byareca,cashew, andcoconut. Fishing employs about 40,000 people, though recent official figures indicate a decline in the importance of this sector and also a fall in the catch, due perhaps, to traditional fishing giving way to large-scale mechanised trawling.[citation needed]
Medium-scale industries include the manufacturing of pesticides, fertilizers, tires, tubes, footwear, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wheat products, steel rolling, fruits and fish canning, cashew nuts, textiles, brewery products.[citation needed]
Currently, there are 16 planned SEZs in Goa. The Goa government has recently decided to not allow any moreSpecial Economic Zones (SEZs) in Goa after strong opposition to them by political parties and the Goa Catholic Church.[81]
Goa is also notable for its low-priced beer, wine, and spirits prices due to its very low excise duty on alcohol. Another main source of cash inflow to the state is remittance, from many of its citizens who work abroad, to their families. It is said to have some of the largest bank savings in the country.[citation needed]
In 1976 Goa became the first state in India to legalise some types of gambling. This enabled the state to levy taxes on gambling, thereby strengthening the economy. There are several casinos available in Goa. In 2018–2019 tax revenue from casinos reached Rs 414 crore.[82]
Goa is the second state in India to achieve a 100 per cent automatic telephone system with a solid network of telephone exchanges. As of September 2017, Goa had a total installed power generation capacity of 547.88 MW. Goa is also one of the few states in India to achieve 100 per cent rural electrification.[83]
Indian and foreign tourists at beaches in Goa. Ships can be seen in the background in the top image, while hills can be seen in the background in the center image and Bogmalo beach nearGoa airport in the bottom image.
Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with lower tourist activity inland. In 2010, there were more than 2 million tourists reported to have visited Goa, about 1.2 million of whom were from abroad.[84] As of 2013[update], Goa was a destination of choice for Indian and foreign tourists, particularly Britons and Russians, with limited means who wanted to vacation outside of their countries. The state was hopeful that changes could be made which would attract a more upscale demographic.[85]
Goa stands 6th in the Top 10 Nightlife cities in the world inNational Geographic Travel.[86] One of the biggest tourist attractions in Goa is water sports. Beaches like Baga and Calangute offer jet-skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, water scooter rides, and more. Patnem beach inPalolem stood third inCNN Travel's Top 20 Beaches inAsia.[87]
Over 450 years of Portuguese rule and the influence of the Portuguese culture presents to visitors to Goa a cultural environment that is not found elsewhere in India. Goa is often described as a fusion between Eastern and Western culture with Portuguese culture having a dominant position in the state be it in its architectural, cultural or social settings. The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples.[88]
Goa has oneWorld Heritage Site: theBom Jesus Basilica[89] withchurches and convents of Old Goa. The basilica holds the mortal remains ofFrancis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as thepatron saint of Goa (the patron of theArchdiocese of Goa is actually SaintJoseph Vaz). These are both Portuguese-era monuments and reflect a strong European character. The relics are taken down for veneration and for public viewing, per the prerogative of the Church in Goa, not every ten or twelve years as popularly thought and propagated. The last exposition was held in 2014.[90]
In many parts of Goa, mansions constructed in the Indo-Portuguese style architecture still stand, though, in some villages, most of them are in a dilapidated condition.Fontainhas in Panaji has been declared a cultural quarter, showcasing the life, architecture and culture of Goa. Influences from the Portuguese era are visible in some of Goa's temples, notably theShanta Durga Temple, theMangueshi Temple, theShri Damodar Temple and theMahalasa Temple. After 1961, many of these were demolished and reconstructed in the indigenous Indian style.[93]
Having been aPortuguese colony for over 450 years,Goan culture is an amalgamation of bothEastern andWestern styles, with the latter having a more dominant role. The tableau of Goa showcases religious harmony by focusing on the Deepastambha, the Cross, and Ghode Modni followed by a chariot. European royal attire of kings is as much part of Goa's cultural heritage as are regional dances performed depicting a unique blend of different religions and cultures of this State. Prominent local festivals areChristmas,Easter,Carnival,Diwali,Shigmo,Chavoth,Samvatsar Padvo,Dasara etc. The Goan Carnival and Christmas-new year celebrations attract many tourists.[citation needed]
Natak,Tiatr (most popular) andZagor are the chief forms of Goa's traditional performance arts. Other forms are Ranmale, Dashavatari, Kalo, Goulankala, Lalit, Kala and Rathkala.[citation needed] Stories from theRamayana and theMahabharata along with more modern social subjects are narrated with song and dance.[101][102]
"Jagor", the traditional folk dance-drama, is performed by the Hindu Kunbi and Christian Gauda community of Goa, to seek the Divine Grace for protection and prosperity of the crop. The literal meaning of Jagor is "jagran" or wakeful nights. The strong belief is that the night-long performance awakens the deities once a year and they continue to remain awake throughout the year guarding the village.[citation needed]
Perni Jagor is the ancient mask dance – drama of Goa, performed by Perni families, using well crafted and painted wooden masks, depicting various animals, birds, super natural power, deities, demons, and social characters.[citation needed]
Gauda Jagor is an impression of social life, that displays all the existing moods and modes of human characters. It is predominantly based on three main characters, Gharasher, Nikhandar, and Parpati wearing shining dresses and headgears. The performance is accompanied by vibrant tunes of Goan folk instruments like Nagara/Dobe, Ghumat, Madale, and Kansale.[citation needed]
In some places, Jagor performances are held with the participation of both Hindus and the Christian community, whereby, characters are played by Hindus and musical support is provided by Christian artistes.[103]
Tiatr (Teatro) and its artists play a major role in keeping the Konkani language and music alive. Tiatrs are conducted solely in the Roman script of Konkani as it is primarily a Christian community-based act. They are played in scenes with music at regular intervals, the scenes are portrayals of daily life and are known to depict social and cultural scenarios. Tiatrs are regularly held especially on weekends mainly at Kala Academy, Panaji, Pai Tiatrist Hall at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao and most recent shows have also started at the new Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, Vasco. Western Musical Instruments such as Drums, Bass, Keyboards, and Trumpets. are part of the show and most of them are played acoustically.[citation needed] It is one of Goa's few art forms that is renowned across the world with performances popular among Goans in the Middle-East, Americas and Europe.[citation needed]
The first full-length Konkani film wasMogacho Anvddo, released on 24 April 1950, and was produced and directed by A. L.Jerry Braganza, a native ofMapusa, under the banner of ETICA Pictures.[105][106] Hence, 24 April is celebrated as Konkani Film Day.[107] Since 2004, starting from the 35th edition, theInternational Film Festival of India moved its permanent venue to Goa, it is annually held in the months of November and December.[108] Konkani filmPaltadcho manis has been included in the world's best films of 2009 list.[109]
Konkani films are eligible for theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Konkani. The most commercially successful Konkani film, as of June 2011[update], isO Maria directed by Rajendra Talak.[110] In 2012, the whole new change was adopted in Konkani Cinema by introducing Digital Theatrical FilmThe Victim directed by Milroy Goes.[111] Some old Konkani films areSukhachem Sopon,Amchem Noxib,Nirmonn,Mhoji Ghorkarn,Kortubancho Sonvsar,Jivit Amchem Oxem,Mog ani Moipas,Bhuierantlo Munis,Suzanne,Boglantt,Padri andBhogsonne.Ujwadu is a 2011 Konkani film directed by Kasargod Chinna and produced by KJ Dhananjaya and Anuradha Padiyar.[citation needed]
Goan food may be divided into Goan Catholic and Goan Hindu cuisine with each showing very distinct tastes, characteristics, and cooking styles.Pork dishes such asVindalho,Xacuti,chouriço, andSorpotel are cooked for major occasions among theGoan Catholics. A mixed vegetable stew, known asKhatkhate, is a very popular dish during the celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike. Khatkhate contains at least five vegetables, fresh coconut, and special Goan spices that add to the aroma.[citation needed]Sannas,Hitt, are local rice cakes andPolle,Amboli, andKailoleo are rice pancakes; all are native to Goa. A richegg-based, multi-layered baked sweet known asbebinca is traditional at Christmas.[citation needed]
Stone chocolate is a type of handcrafted dark chocolate associated with Goan cuisine. It is made using traditional techniques and often incorporates local ingredients, including spices that reflect the region's culinary heritage. The chocolate is known for its smooth texture and rich flavor, influenced by Goa's tropical climate and unique cultural blend.
The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa isfeni. Cashew feni is made from the double distillation of the fermented fruit juice of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the double distillation of the fermented sap of toddy palms. Urrak is another local liquor prepared from the single distillation of the fermented cashew fruit juice. In fact the bar culture is one of the unique aspects of the Goan villages where a local bar serves as a meeting point for villagers to unwind.[112] Goa also has a rich wine culture due to Portuguese rule.[113][114]
The architecture of Goa is a combination of native Goan,Ottoman andPortuguese styles. Since the Portuguese ruled and governed for four centuries, many churches and houses bear a striking element of the Portuguese style of architecture. Goan Hindu houses do not show any Portuguese influence, though the modern temple architecture is an amalgam of original Goan temple style withDravidian,Hemadpanti, Islamic, and Portuguese architecture.[115] The original Goan temple architecture fell into disuse as the temples were demolished by the Portuguese and theSthapati known asThavayi in Konkani were converted to Christianity though the wooden work and theKavi murals can still be seen.[116]
Most of Goa is well connected by roads.Government-run Kadamba buses at a bus station in Goa
Goa'spublic transport largely consists of privately operated buses linking the major towns to rural areas. Government-run buses, maintained by theKadamba Transport Corporation, link major routes (like the Panaji–Margao route) and some remote parts of the state. The Corporation owns 15 bus stands, 4 depots and one Central workshop at Porvorim and a Head Office at Porvorim.[121] In large towns such as Panaji and Margao, intra-city buses operate. However, public transport in Goa is less developed, and residents depend heavily on their own transportation, usually motorised two-wheelers and small family cars.[citation needed]
Motorcycle Taxi or "Pilots"
Goa has fourNational Highways passing through it. NH-66 (exNH-17) runs along India's west coast and links Goa toMumbai in the north andMangalore to the south.NH-4A running across the state connects the capital Panaji toBelgaum in east, linking Goa to cities in theDeccan. The NH-366 (exNH-17A) connects NH-66 toMormugao Port from Cortalim. The new NH-566 (ex NH-17B) is a four-lane highway connecting Mormugao Port to NH-66 at Verna viaDabolim Airport, primarily built to ease pressure on the NH-366 for traffic to Dabolim Airport and Vasco da Gama. NH-768 (ex NH-4A) links Panaji and Ponda to Belgaum and NH-4. Goa has a total of 224 km (139 mi) of national highways, 232 km (144 mi) of state highway and 815 kilometres (506 miles) of district highway. National Highways in Goa are among the narrowest in the country and will remain so for the foreseeable future, as the state government has received an exemption that allows narrow national highways. In Kerala, highways are 45 metres (148 feet) wide. In other states National Highways are grade separated highways 60 metres (200 feet) wide with a minimum of four lanes, as well as 6 or 8 lane access-controlled expressways.[122][123]
Hired forms of transport include unmetered taxis and, in urban areas,auto rickshaws. Another form of transportation in Goa is themotorcycle taxi, operated by drivers who are locally called "pilots". These vehicles transport a singlepillion rider, at fares that are usually negotiated. Other than buses, "pilots" tend to be the cheapest mode of transport.[124] River crossings in Goa are serviced by flat-bottomedferry boats, operated by the river navigation department.[citation needed]
Goa will get two new expressways in the coming years, which will connect the state and will enhance connectivity and commute with the rest of the country. They are as follows:
In 2018, a metro rail was planned by theNITI Aayog, linking the capital city ofPanaji. In the future, it would be extended from South Goa till the coastal city ofKarwar inKarnataka, close to the Kanataka-Goa border.[128]
Indian scientist B. Rajaram started the ambitiousSkybus Metro project under the KonkanRailway Corporation in partnership with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). Like the Wuppertal Schwebebahn inGermany, the scheme proposed an elevated, suspended railway layout where vehicles would swing from above lines. The objective was to minimise urban congestion by offering a quick and effective urban transportation alternative.
Despite its promise, theproject encountered some obstacles, like as safety issues after a 2004 test run disaster. The idea ultimately faced shelving despite its early promise and creative approach to urban transportation.
Although the Skybus did not succeed, the idea demonstrated India's desire to investigate other forms oftransportation, and Indian Railways was granted a patent for the system.
TheMormugao Port Trust near the city of Vasco handles mineral ore, petroleum, coal, and international containers. Much of the shipments consist of minerals and ores from Goa's hinterland. Panaji, which is on the banks of the Mandovi, has a minor port, which used to handle passengerssteamers between Goa and Mumbai till the late 1980s. There was also a short-lived catamaran service linking Mumbai and Panaji operated by Damania Shipping in the 1990s.[citation needed]
Goa had India's earliest educational institutions built with European support. The Portuguese set up seminaries for religious education and parish schools for elementary education. Foundedc. 1542 by Saint Francis Xavier,Saint Paul's College, Goa was a Jesuit school in Old Goa, which later became a college. St Paul's was once the main Jesuit institution in Asia. It housed the first printing press in India and published the first books in 1556.[129][130][131]
Medical education began in 1801 with the offering of regular medical courses at the Royal and Military Hospital in the old City of Goa. Built-in 1842 as the Escola Médico-Cirúrgica de (Nova) Goa (Medical-Surgical School of Goa),Goa Medical College is one of Asia's oldest medical colleges and has one of the oldest medical libraries (since 1845).[132] It houses the largest hospital in Goa and continues to provide medical training to this day.[citation needed]
According to the 2011 census, Goa has aliteracy rate of 87%, with 90% of males and 84% of females being literate.[133] Each taluka is made up of villages, each having a school run by the government. Private schools are preferred over government-run schools. All schools come under theGoa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, whose syllabus is prescribed by the state education department. There are also a few schools that subscribe to the all-IndiaICSE syllabus or theNIOS syllabus. Most students in Goa complete their high school with English as the medium of instruction. Most primary schools, however, use Konkani and Marathi (in private, but government-aided schools). As is the case in most of India, enrolment for vernacular media has seen a fall in numbers in favour of English medium education. Per a report published inThe Times of India, 84% of Goan primary schools were run without an administrative head.[134]
There are sixengineering colleges in the state.Goa Engineering College andNational Institute of Technology Goa are government-funded colleges whereas the private engineering colleges include Don Bosco College of Engineering at Fatorda, Shree Rayeshwar Institute of Engineering and Information Technology at Shiroda, Agnel Institute of Technology, and Design (AITD), Assagao, Bardez andPadre Conceicao College of Engineering at Verna. In 2004,BITS Pilani one of the premier institutes in India, inaugurated its second campus, theBITS Pilani Goa Campus, at Zuarinagar nearDabolim. The Indian Institute of Technology Goa (IIT Goa) began functioning from its temporary campus, located in Goa Engineering College since 2016. The site for permanent campus was finalised in Cotarli,Sanguem.[135]
Other colleges in Goa include Shri Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, V.V.M's R.M. Salgaocar Higher Secondary School inMargao, G.V.M's S.N.J.A higher secondary school, Don Bosco College, D.M.'s College of Arts, Science and Commerce, St Xavier's College, Carmel College,The Parvatibai Chowgule College, Dhempe College, Damodar College, M. E. S. College of Arts & Commerce, S. S. Samiti's Higher Secondary School of Science and Rosary College of Commerce & Arts. As the result of renewed interest in the Portuguese language and culture, Portuguese at all levels of instruction is offered in many schools in Goa, largely private ones. In some cases, Goan students do student exchange programs in Portugal.[citation needed]
Historically, the media in Goa grew in the late 1800s before being clamped down on during the rule ofAntónio de Oliveira Salazar. The first printing press in Goa was founded in 1556.[137] In 1886, Tipografia Rangel, one of the pioneers in widescale publishing was founded.[138] Prior to this the only existing presses were those of the government and individual family presses existing to print the political newspapers such asO Ultramar. Tipografia Rangel was among the leaders in providing print media to a larger section of society in Goa.[139]
Goa is served by almost alltelevision channels available in India. Channels are received through cable in most parts of Goa. In the interior regions, channels are received viasatellite dishes.Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster, has two free terrestrial channels on air.[140]
DTH (Direct To Home) TV services are available fromDish TV,Videocon D2H,Tata Sky andDD Direct Plus. TheAll India Radio is the onlyradio channel in the state that broadcasts on bothFM andAM bands. Two AM channels are broadcast, the primary channel at 1287 kHz and the Vividh Bharati channel at 1539 kHz. AIR's FM channel is called FM Rainbow and is broadcast at 105.4 MHz. A number of private FM radio channels are available,Big FM at 92.7 andRadio Indigo at 91.9 MHz. There is also an educational radio channel,Gyan Vani, run byIGNOU broadcast from Panaji at 107.8 MHz. In 2006, St Xavier's College, Mapusa, became the first college in the state to launch a campus community radio station "Voice of Xavier's".[141]
Local publications include theEnglish languageO Heraldo (Goa's oldest, once a Portuguese language paper),The Gomantak Times andThe Navhind Times. In addition to these,The Times of India andThe Indian Express are also received from Mumbai and Bangalore in the urban areas.The Times of India has recently started publication from Goa itself, serving the local population news directly from the state capital. Among the list of officially accredited newspapers areO Heraldo,The Navhind Times andThe Gomantak Times in English;Bhaangar Bhuin in Konkani (Devanagari script); andTarun Bharat,Gomantak,Navprabha,Goa Times,Sanatan Prabhat,Govadoot andLokmat (all in Marathi). All are dailies. Other publications in the state includePlanet Goa (English, monthly),Goa Today (English, monthly),Goan Observer (English, weekly),Vauraddeancho Ixtt (Roman-script Konkani, weekly)Goa Messenger,Vasco Watch,Gulab (Konkani, monthly),Bimb (Devanagari-script Konkani).[142]
Normally other states are fond of cricket butassociation football is the most popular sport in Goa and is embedded in Goan culture as a result of the Portuguese influence.[145] Its origins in the state are traced back to 1883 when the visiting Irish priest Fr. William Robert Lyons established the sport as part of a "Christian education".[145][146] On 22 December 1959, theAssociação de Futebol de Goa was formed, which continues to administer the game in the state under the new nameGoa Football Association.[145] Goa, along withWest Bengal andKerala[145] is the locus of football in India and is home to many football clubs in the nationalI-League. The state's football powerhouses includeSalgaocar,Dempo,Churchill Brothers,Vasco,Sporting Clube de Goa andFC Goa. The firstUnity World Cup was held in Goa in 2014. The state's main football stadium,Fatorda Stadium, is located atMargao and also hosts cricket matches.[147] The state hosted few matches of the2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup and several matches of the2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Fatorda Stadium.[148][149]
A number of Goans have represented India in football and six of them, namelySamir Naik,Climax Lawrence,Brahmanand Sankhwalkar,Bruno Coutinho,Mauricio Afonso and Roberto Fernandes have all captained the national team. Goa has its ownstate football team and league, theGoa Professional League. It is probably the only state in India where cricket is not considered the most important of all sports. Goan's are avid football fans, particularly of the football teams from Portugal (Benfica, Sporting), and Brazil especially during major football events such as the European Cup and the World Cup championships. The Portuguese footballerRonaldo and BrazilianNeymar, are revered superstar football players in Goa.[citation needed]
India (Goa) is a member of theLusofonia games which are hosted every four years in one of the Portuguese CPLP member countries, with 733 athletes from 11 countries. Most of the countries competing are countries that are members of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), but some are countries with significant Portuguese communities or have a history with Portugal. This event is similar in concept to the Commonwealth Games (for members of the Commonwealth of Nations) and the Jeux de la Francophonie (for the Francophone community).[citation needed]
Several local Indian,Russian,Israeli andNigerian criminal groups are reported to be heavily involved in the organised drug trade in Goa, one of the smallest states of India. Sources reveal that there are also individual players who are British, French, Italian, Portuguese, and of other European nationalities. Some have been visiting the state for over two decades and have their fixed international and local clientele.[153] Goa has, in recent days, become a principal hub of the international drug trade apart from being a key point of consumption. According to estimates, drugs flowing out of different foreign locations lands on the comparatively unguarded Goan coastline as Mumbai and its hinterland are no longer considered an easy route for trafficking since checks by theCoastguard,Navy, Customs, and other government bodies began.[154]
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