The tourist season officially began on Sunday, October 4, when the first charter flights from Europe landed in Goa. With the international holiday makers dotting Goa's coastal belt, full-time partying has begun in right earnest.

The first of the big bashes was kicked off at Colva beach on Saturday night when the Malibu Beach House opened its doors. Promoted by a transnational distillery to promote its coconut-based rum, the place was easily the most happening place in South Goa if the hordes of Kinetic Hondas parked outside were anything to go by.

Inside, a proper mela-like atmosphere prevailed. No, there were no snake charmers or jaadugars performing the Indian rope trick. The fire-eater, however, was a big draw. Thanks to free entry for all visitors the tattoo artists, face painters and hair-braiders had a field day.

The usual quota of celebrities was absent, but the organisers promise that will change when MTV crews descend here to film one of theirshows.

Word Power

Thanks to his sharp wit despite his advanced years, Goa Chief Minister Dr Wilfred D'Souza has managed to adroitly deflect criticism of his ruthless political manoeuvres.

Recently, he received flak from the opposition Congress for letting his government be remote-controlled by the Bharatiya Janata Party which is providing ``outside support'' to the government. But D'Souza promptly asked his detractors the meaning of `Rajiv.' He said he had named his breakaway Congress party, after Rajiv, which means `lotus'. So there was nothing wrong in the BJP doing some backseat driving, he insisted.

But then the adroit doctor also simultaneously silenced some `advisors' to Sonia Gandhi who objected to the naming of his party after the late Congress prime minister.

No wonder the wags in Goa say D'Souza learnt his politics at the feet of Fred Astaire!

Show Of Strength

The Goa police have come up with innovations in their patrolling procedure to check crime in the state. A patrolvehicle containing a commando armed with a machine gun, a rifle-wielding cop, and a wireless operator will do the rounds of important towns in the state.

The catch? They will patrol the streets only during the day!

Tailpiece

Here's something our culture policewoman, Information & Broadcasting Minister-turned Delhi CM Sushma Swaraj missed. Singing in chorus outside the RSS run-Hegdewar school in Panaji on the occasion of Saraswati Puja were RSS students dressed up as Radha and Krishna. The song? Ricky Martin's catchy number -- Un, dos, tres...Maria!