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In the past decade, the tiny state of Goa has seen rapid growth, albeit somewhat unplanned, creating consternation in the minds of many a Goan. At the same time, Goa continues to be called home by many who choose to set up abode here. If the lure of this state brought in the hippies back in the 1970s and 1980s, it still continues to work its charm on creative professionals even today. Aakritee Sinh left her home in Delhi to settle down in Goa. "I fell in love with the fresh air, the fabulous people and, most importantly, this is where I fell in love with my husband," says Aakritee who, together with her husband Virendra, runs the fine dining restaurant, A Reverie, in Candolim. "I’m not after an illusion. But I think, everyone wants to be a ‘Goan’," she muses. Rudolf Kammermeier, owner of Art Chamber, Calangute, is positive that Goa will be the centre of a ‘cultural rennaissance’. "There’s an ocean liner coming and we just experience some ripples ahead," says Rudolf. "This ocean liner is the ‘cultural process’, something that is underway in India visibly, since perhaps 20 years and is gaining pace." Many highly qualified, professional artists from other countries are eager to come and interact in Goa, he says. "We can expect something that is fresh and new. New to Goa, new to India and new to the rest of the world," he opines. This positive feeling is echoed by Stalin K, filmmaker and co-founder of Video Volunteers, a non-profit organisation working to spread community media in India. "It’s not true that Goa’s ‘lost’," he counters, asserting this is one of the best places to call home in terms of the environment, people and the talent in arts, media and activism. "The sheer number of people in creative fields like literature, fine art, films and photography as well as activism, all doing interesting work, is unprecedented and creates a great vibe", Stalin says. He also reminds us of the fact that Goa successfully stopped SEZs, thus setting an example for other states. People have successfully got a moratorium on new mining leases. The media is by and large independent and does take up local issues. "How can we say we’ve lost this paradise?" he questions. People may come to Goa for the charmed environment – especially the famed sun and sand. But those who have chosen to stay on, do so because of the people and the energy here. Goa has a pace of life that lends itself to creativity. Over the past few years, the state has seen many writers, photographers and other creative minds choosing to call Goa home. For them, the peace and sanity one can get living in Goa, cannot be had in any other city. This is key to living in Goa. It’s the little things that add up to the quality of life. It is still possible to have your personal space even in public areas. Life is not one mad commute. Besides, with the proximity to big cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, a work trip to these centres is so convenient.
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