State-endorsed wine festival gives Goa a bad name: Women’s group

PANAJI - A wine festival promoted by the state government is now under attack by a leading women’s rights group, which alleges that by aggressively promoting the sale of alcohol at its official premises, the state government was only reinforcing Goa’s image as a “land for wine, women and song”.

Bailancho Saad (BS), Goa’s foremost women’s group, has taken up several issues related to women’s rights and human rights abuse in the past.

“The image of Goa has taken a severe beating because of these wrong policies,” convener of BS Sabina Martins told IANS Thursday.

Earlier this month, the Goa tourism department had been forced to drop bikini clad women from its posters and advertisements, in an attempt to sober the state’s image.

“Despite all this, the government continues to promote alcohol on government premises showing scant respect for women in Goa,” Martins said.

The four-day wine festival is scheduled Jan 23-26 at the Inox courtyard, which is built on leased government property. The decision to hold the wine festival at a government-owned facility is only adding insult to injury, Martins said.

“The government is not permitted to promote alcohol as per the directive principles of the Constitution… And that too on Republic Day. When the whole nation pledges to uphold the Constitution, the Goa government is promoting alcohol on its premises,” she said, adding that BS would submit a memorandum to the president demanding appropriate action for breach of the Constitution.

The Grape Escapade is being promoted by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation and is aimed at branding Goa as a distinctive lifestyle destination.

Leading wineries from India — Indage Vintners, Zampa wines, Kingfisher Bohemia, Grover Vineyards and Four Seasons Wines — will participate in the four-day event.