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Of late it is very disturbing to hear from a lot of friends - specially females - that Goa has become a very unsafe place for women. Special reference is made to the beaches after dusk. This is most unfortunate. Times have really changed and changed for the worse. I remember the days in the 60s and 70s when we hired a shack in Cobravaddo in Calangute every summer in the months of April and May. As an young girl, I would meet up with all our friends from Mumbai and abroad at Calangute near the present Tourist hotel. We would play games, end up dancing at the Cabana or at Souza Lobo and I would trek alone to the shack at about 9 or 10 in the evening - a distance of about 12 minutes walk through the sand dunes and coconut trees. I never felt scared as there was no reason for fear, except maybe of ghosts. Goa today has become a playground for dangerous activities like assault, rape and murder. Unfortunately and shamefully, the perpetrators of these crimes are to a large extent our own countrymen who think Goa is the only place in this country for free women, lots of booze and a great time. What are we doing about it? This is a very important matter on which attention should be focussed by every responsible Goan since Goa's economy largely depends on tourism. The fall in tourist traffic this season is not only because of the Mumbai terrorists, but the poor response showed much before that. Bookings at hotels and guesthouses normally begin from September onwards. In 2008, till end November everybody was complaining of a bleak season. The terrorism in Mumbai was the final straw. Instead of concentrating on discos, bars etc. we should provide more of safe sports-related facilities and open air activities thereby making it attractive for good foreign and local tourists. Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/