Devidas Gaonkar

Devidas Gaonkar is a poet and journalist, and a proud member of the indigenous Velip tribe. He lives in a remote forest reserve not far from the beautiful and touristic beaches of South Goa.   Devidas dropped out of school in 2003 because there was no money for education, and of boredom if he had note found film-making, his passion.  One of the earliest members of Video Volunteers, Devidas has used camera and storytelling to document the struggles of his own community against the rampages of mining, focusing on the environment, tribal rights and fading traditions, all of which found no…

Goa goes to the polls on Saturday, with the BJP, the Congress and debutant AAP locked in a three-way battle. Although opinion polls have suggested a clear majority for the BJP, the issue of off-shore casinos just might turn out to be a spoiler.

When the saffron party came to power the last around in 2012, it had promised to shut down the ‘floating’ casinos. Five years later, they still remain anchored on the Mandovi. And the issue has vanished from the BJP’s election manifesto.

While the AAP and the Congress have attacked the party for going back on its word, voters are sceptical about the casinos shutting shop anytime soon.

This report originally appeared on the Quint as part of the collaborative effort by the Quint and Video Volunteers on Goa Elections. Videography by Devidas Gaonkar.