In the sun-drenched state of Goa, a persistent and divisive question often surfaces: who truly belongs here? For Smriti Iyer, a development economist who made Goa her home three years ago, this is precisely the wrong question to ask. The real inquiry, she argues in a piece published on December 5, 2025, should focus on how everyone—long-time residents and new arrivals alike—can unite to solve the state's deep-rooted structural problems.
The Personal Cost of a Divisive Label
Iyer recounts the immediate sting of being labeled a "settler" by a Goan acquaintance, a term that created an invisible barrier despite continued invitations. Her connection to Goa, however, spans decades, beginning with a cherished family trip at age 13. It became an annual pilgrimage, a writing sanctuary, and the first place she visited upon deciding to move back to India permanently. For her, Goa's greenery and shores offer a profound sense of center, a feeling of home that was unexpectedly echoed by a U.S. immigration officer who once told her, "Welcome home," as she held her Indian passport.
This sense of belonging contrasts sharply with her previous life in Washington DC, marked by luxury amenities but also by visible inequality, gentrification, and street violence. Her choice to live in Goa was a conscious rejection of that metropolitan reality. She seeks no Starbucks or Pilates studios; her move was for the environment and the chance to contribute locally.
Confronting Goa's Shared Challenges
Iyer observes that the common narrative pinning the erosion of Goan culture solely on Indian tourists and settlers is an oversimplification. She points to visible, shared problems: local youth littering at Torda Creek, roads strewn with garbage bags torn by dogs, the burning of plastic waste, and the seasonal smog from field fires. When questioned, a typical response from a neighbour is, "this is how we’ve always done it."
The state's infrastructure tells another story of collective neglect. The main highway is described as a "Mad Max set," with perpetually dug-up, dangerous roads. In October 2025 alone, these roads witnessed a staggering 200 accidents resulting in 18 deaths. The lack of reliable, affordable public transport or ride-sharing options exacerbates this daily crisis.
A Call for Unified Action Over Division
Iyer challenges the economic argument behind Goa's rampant land conversion, noting the state has the highest per capita income in India and low population density. She poses critical questions: Why is there no collective push for rent control or market regulation? Why not advocate for higher taxes on multiple homeowners? Blaming a "settler filmmaker from Aldona" is easier, she suggests, than tackling these systemic issues.
The "local vs settler" trope, she concludes, is a lazy distraction that creates divides while the government passes orders benefiting a select few. Developing a shared sense of belonging is the foundational step needed to address intractable problems. This requires an infusion of new ideas and people with different experiences coming together.
The solution lies in moving beyond performative arguments. Iyer's prescription is practical: collect your neighbours and pick one local issue—be it garbage, water, or safety—to resolve collectively. The goal is to see who shows up to co-create a culture and a Goa that works for all its inhabitants.
