OVERVIEW OF GOA:

INTRODUCTION:

Known also: Konkan

Country: India

Region: Western India

Established: 30 may 1987

Capital: Panaji

Largest city: Vasco da Gama

Districts: 1.North Goa: headquarters: Panaji

2. South Goa: headquarters: Margao

Governor: Mridula Sinha

Chief Minister: Manohar parrikar

Area: 3,702 km2 (1,429 sq mi)

Area Rank: 29th

Population (2011) : 1,457,723

People:  Hindus(26.6%), Christians,(6.8%)  Muslims, 970 (0.07%) 

Literacy: 88.70% (3rd)

Official languages: Konkani

State Bird - Black crested bulbul

 State Animal - Gaur  

State Flower - To be declared

 State Tree - Matti

.

Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was ranked the best placed state by the 11th Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission.

Goa, a tiny state, known as the 'Tourist Paradise of India' enjoys a renowned place in the traveler's guide. Situated on the west coast of the country, the state was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961 and became a part of the Indian Union territory along with Daman and Diu. It became the 25th independent state of India on 30th May1987.

Goa with only two districts South Goa and North Goa is bordered by Maharashtra in the north, Karnataka in the south and east, and the Arabian Sea on the west.. Goa is blessed with marvelous beaches and sunshine, splendid churches, and peaceful, warm and friendly people. Best time to visit Goa is November to March.

In ancient literature, Goa was known by many names, such as Gomanta, Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri,Govem, and Gomantak.

HISTORY:

Goan's were originally the descendents from the native Dravidians who where gradually overrun by the Aryan advance from the north around 1500 BC. Aryans who settled in Western India named their state Konkan. Goa, a part of Konkan, became an important port of the ancient and medieval traders like the Phoenicians, the Persians, the Arabs, the Sumarians, the Greeks and the Romans. Until the11th century, there was a succession of empires rising and falling in Goa. Earlier, it was part of the territories of Ashoka, the great Buddhist emperor of the Mauryan Empire who reigned from 273-236 BC. In the 2nd century  BC Goa was under the Satavahanas. The Western Kshatrapus ruled next from 150 AD. Then came the Bhojas who made their capital Chandrapur (now Chandor).

Then came the Kadambas who ruled from 1008 AD to 1300 AD. Under their rule Goa became India's maritime power and they built Gopakapattana (now Goa Velha) a few kilometres south west of old Goa which remained the capital until their fall. By1312 the political authority of Goa passed to the Muslims, who under Alaud-din Khilji's general, Malik Kafur defeated the Kadambas. The rise of the Vijayanagar empire had its effect on Goa. Vidyaranya Madhavthe ruler of the Vijayanagar defeated the Muslims in 1370 AD.

 This brought in the Portuguese who from then onwards influenced every walks of Goan life. Christianity was absorbed by the inhabitants. The intermixture of the locals who settled with the Portuguese soldiers evolved a new culture that was unique. The Portuguese made the city of Panaji the capital of Goa in 1843.

Government of Goa :

In the Parliament of India, Goa has two seats in the Lok Sabha, one representing each district, and one seat in the Rajya Sabha. Goa's legislative assembly building is located in Porvorim – the seat of the Goa assembly, which lies across the Mandovi from Panaji. The state comes under the Bombay High Court. A bench of the High Court is present in Panaji. Goa has a unicameral legislature consisting of a forty-member Legislative Assembly, headed by a Chief Minister who wields the executive power. The ruling government consists of the party or coalition garnering the most number of seats in the state elections and enjoying the support of a simple majority of the House. In the recent 2012 Vidhan Sabha Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party along with the  Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party won a clear majority, forming the new government with Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister.

ECONOMY:

Goa is one of India's richest states with the highest GDP per capita — two and a half times that of the country as a whole and one of its fastest growth rates: 8.23% (yearly average 1990–2000). Tourism is Goa's primary industry: it handles 12% of all foreign tourist arrivals in India. The land away from the coast is rich in minerals and ores and mining forms the second largest industry. The Marmagao Port handled 31.69 million tonnes of cargo last year, and accounts for over 39% of India's Iron Ore exports. The fishing industry provides employment for about forty thousand people, though recent official figures indicate a decline of the importance of this sector. Medium scale industries include the manufacturing of pesticides, fertilizers ,tyres, tubes, footwear, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wheat products, steel rolling, fruits and fish canning, cashew nuts, textiles, brewery products.

People of Goa:

Goa has a large number of villages. Many changes have taken place in the state with tourism and export. The Goa could be either a Hindu or a Christian or a Muslim although the general impression by using the term Goa is that the person is a Christian. Christianity came to Goa along with the Portuguese.

Language and religion of Goa:

Konkani is the official language of Goa .The other main languages spoken in the state are Marathi, Kannada and Urdu. Goa is thus a state of Hindus and Christians. The people of Goa are among the friendliest. The social outlook of the Goan is different. They love their music and simple musical instruments.

An extravaganza of music and dance lasting several hours is witnessed by the people of Goa and the tourists who throng the state all the year round. The people of Goa are also excellent cooks and some of them are regular employees of some famous restaurant in India and abroad.

Caste structure of Goa:

All the castes or rather sub-castes or jatis like Saraswats, Karades, Chitpavans, Padhyes etc. among the various segments of the population of Goa, particularly the goldsmiths and some merchants probably, as seen from the surnames of members of communes purportedly all- Brahmin, were lumped into the Christian caste of Bamonn or Brahmin. The various groups among the Kshatriyas or locally known as Chaddho were mainly the noble and warrior class. Some of them engaged in the trading profession, known as Chatim, which was an occupational appellation common to Brahmins also. The caste appellation of Chaddho gradually fell into disuse.There were the Gauddo or Gaudde, probably the Vaishya counterparts in Goa of the neighbouring Karnataka's Gowda.

Food:

 Goan cuisine is famous for its rich variety of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Goan food may be divided into Goan Catholic and Goan Hindu cuisine with each showing very distinct tastes, characteristics, and cooking styles.  An exotic Goan vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is a very popular dish during the celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike. A rich egg-based, multi-layered sweet dish known as bebinca is a favorite at Christmas. The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is feni; cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms. Goa also has a rich wine culture.

Festival :

Goa is famous for its varied culture and tradition. One of the highlights of its culture is the numerous festivals celebrated here. Most of these festivals are religious, and some are organized by the government of Goa state. The observance and celebration of feasts and festivals constitute the joyous aspect of the religious life of the Goan people.  Goa carnival is the most colorful and unforgettable festival of Goa. Of the religious festivals and fairs, Chovoth, Dussera, Diwali etc

are quite popular. Main church feasts include Feast of Immaculate Conception and Feast of St. Francis Xavier. 

TOURISM:

Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland. In 2010, there were more than two million tourists reported to have visited Goa, about 1.2 million of whom were from abroad. The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples. The Bom Jesus Cathedral, Fort Aguada and a new wax museum on Indian history, culture and heritage in Old Goa are other tourism destinations. Goa has two World Heritage Sites: the Bom Jesus Basilica and churches and convents of Old Goa. Goa also has a few museums, the two important ones being Goa State Museum and the Naval Aviation Museum. There is also the statue of the bleeding Jesus on the Crucifix at the Santa Monica Convent in Velha Goa.

Architecture:

The architecture of Goa is a combination of Indian, Islamic and Portuguese styles. Since the Portuguese ruled 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 with Dravidian, Hemadpanthi, Islamic, and Portuguese architecture.

Sport:

Association football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Goa and is embedded in Goan culture. On 22 December 1959 the Associaçao de Futebol de Goa was formed, which continues to administer the game in the state under the new name Goa Football Association. Goa, along with West Bengal and Kerala is the locus of football in the country and is home to many football clubs in India's I-League. The state's football powerhouses include Salgaocar Sports Club, Dempo Sports Club, Churchill Brothers, Vasco Sports Club and Sporting Clube de Goa. The state's main football stadium, Fatorda stadium, is located at Margao and also hosts cricket matches.

Education:

According to the 2011 census, Goa has a literacy rate of 87%, with 90% of males and 84% of females being literate. All schools come under the Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education, whose syllabus is prescribed by the state education department. Two years of college is followed by a professional degree program. Goa University, the sole university in Goa, is

located in Taleigão and most Goan colleges are affiliated to it. There are college offering pharmacy, architecture and dentistry along with numerous private colleges offering law,  arts,  commerce  and  science.  There are also two National Oceanographic Science related centers: the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research in Vasco da Gama and the National Institute of Oceanography  in Dona Paula.