CHICAGO: A meet and greet road show and a video presentation organized by Goa Tourism Development Corporation teaming up with Air India here seeking to boost Goa as a tourists paradise met with a measure of success despite the absence of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Parrikar had to fly back to New Delhi on his getting a berth as Defense Minister in Federal ministry headed by Narendra Modi. The vacuum was filled in nicely by Air India Chief Nakul Chand along with Sanjay Shetye representing GTDC and Iftekhar Shareef, FIA Trustee Chair deputizing for Parrikar. The show at Ritz Carlton hotel in Chicago Downtown was spiced with briefs from Vandana Walia and Seema Arora of Vchilli and classical-Bollywood dances by local artists.
A 10-minute video highlighting various sporting, shopping, cultural and leisure activities that Goa offers was well appreciated by the local travel magnates, invitees and members of ethnic Indian media. Goa with its beaches, forests, lakes, sanctuaries and surrounding mountains was enchanting and this coupled with its celebrations of major Indian festivals, its diverse religious institutions, handicrafts, cuisine and nightlife made it an irresistible tourist spot.
A conscious effort was made to promote Medical tourism capping with its special attraction of the casinos in the only Indian state that has legalized gambling. Architectural landmarks, especially fortifications, and archeological sites were shown.
Though Goa happens to be the smallest Indian state, its diversity as “a veritable anthology of people” was beautifully brought out by Seema Arora in her speech. She pointed out that 15 of India’s 25 best beaches are in Goa.
The Konkani word “kenna” has inspired its Rio-inspired carnival “Kenna Rio, and its kenna Goa!” brewed from cashews or coconut, the local drink Feni can be had only in Goa.
The spicing up came when Komal Shah presented a Kathak-based Sufi dance. Joining her Ruchi Shah and Akanksha Mishra came up with an eye catching performance that blended Bollywood with various Indian and Western dance styles.
Air India presentation was inducing in that it showed how only one international airliner can boast of a direct flight to Goa via Delhi. It announced several return tickets to Goa for a well conducted raffle. Mafat Patel of Air Tours that all the time bags Top Achiever Air India award, proved that it is not only his pluck but also his luck that makes him a winner.
He was presented with a roundtrip ticket to Goa. Attendees received a bag from GTDC containing its tourism video and other Goan trinkets.
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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