Costal commerce
The union territory of Daman and Diu has come a long way since its liberation from Portuguese rule. Akanksha Maker investigates
On my Áight back to 0umbai from Doha, I was seated beside a Saudi businessman. 8pon speaking with him, he told me he was visiting India on work. His sole purpose of Áying to 0umbai was to drive to Daman, to visit his chemical manufacturing factory.
Having visited Daman in the past, I wondered what would make this charming coastal city an exciting destination for foreign direct investment. To understand this, it’s important to explore its history that dates back to the time 3ortugal invaded India around the 1600’s.
LOOKING BACK
Daman and Diu, along with Goa were ruled by 3ortugal for almost 450 years. 8nlike the rest of India that was under the British 5aj and gained independence in 1 4 , Goa, Daman and Diu got their independence from 3ortugal on December 1 , 1 61. Celebrated as “liberation day”, this momentous date marks the military conquest that led to the establishment of the union territories of Goa, Daman and Diu, which Ànally became a part of India. It is said that 3ortugal did not recognise India’s sovereignty over these territories until 1 4.
In 1 , an amendment of the Indian Constitution granted Goa the status of statehood, leaving “Daman and Diu” as a separate union territory. Ironically, Daman and Diu are approximately 650 kilometres away from each other by road. Geographically, both are situated on two diͿerent parts of the Gujarat border while Daman neighbours the Valsad district, Diu is a tiny island near the -unagadh district of the state. From 0umbai, Daman can be reached by driving on National Highway , towards Ahmedabad, for about two and a half hours. This
The central government’s “Make in India” campaign recognises Daman’s position as a dominant manufacturing hub.
duration has however been temporarily stretched due to the breakdown of a bridge that connects Mumbai to the highway.
Ever since the territories became a part of India much after independence, the government has consciously made additional eͿorts to ensure the development of Daman and Diu. This includes certain tax concessions that began tempting industries from not just the rest of India, but also from the world over to set shop here.
In 1971, the Government of India extended cash subsidy on capital investment of up to `25 lakh in Daman and Diu, along with the beneÀts of moderated sales and income tax. This encouraged the industrialisation of Daman, which is not only the headquarters of the two parts of this union territory, but also the larger one.
INDUSTRIALISATION
As of today, there is no entry tax, octroi tax or turnover tax levied on the production of goods here (compared to other Indian states). Daman also enjoys the lowest power tariͿs across all union territories, standing at an average of `3 per electric unit. The union territory’s peaceful labour climate and relatively high literacy rate (87 per cent) accounts for its quality workforce. Its close proximity to signiÀcant business cities such as Mumbai, Surat, Pune, Ahmedabad and Vadodara through high quality roads and railways is an added advantage.
The central government’s “Make in India” campaign recognises Daman’s position as a dominant manufacturing hub. It works in line with the independent governance of the union territory to constantly boost infrastructure and incorporate best-in-class technology in order to improve its manufacturing prowess.
With around 39 industrial estates, there are about 3,292 industrial units in Daman, out of which 2,929 are small-scale ones. Omnibus Industrial Development Corporation (OIDC), a body that was incorporated in 1992 to develop and maintain the economy of the territory, has developed two industrial areas here. On the board of this company are government ocials that closely look into various aspects of the district including construction, administration and industrial expansion. Dotted
across its industrial belts are manufacturing units of plasticisers, cotton yarn (around 80 per cent of India’s polyester yarn is made in Daman and its surrounding districts), paper, petroleum and its by-products, pharmaceuticals, electrical conductors, marble tiles and plastic.
WEEKEND GETAWAY
Considering its industrial temperament, it’s hard to imagine Daman as an attractive destination for tourists. Ironically, it’s quite a popular weekend haunt for denizens of surrounding cities from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Daman’s diverse facets reÁect in its environment as well there’s a clear demarcation from its neighbour Vapi, where the latter’s faster pace is deÀned by busier and noisier streets and shops. Upon entering the gates of Daman directly from National Highway 8 over a railway crossing (there is another one from Vapi), you’re welcomed through green patches of coconut trees beside humble village homes. With lush trees and blooming plantations all across, Daman will instantly remind you of Goa, its estranged cousin.
COLONIAL INFLUENCE
It is divided by the Damanganga River into Moti (means big in Gujarati) Daman and Nani (means small in Gujarati) Daman. Ironically, the former is the smaller part of the city, whereas the latter is the larger residential area. Government buildings, the Governor’s residence, houses, complexes, gardens and churches within the walls of the 30,000 sqm Moti Daman fort embody the city’s bygone Portuguese era. In fact, some of the families residing here still speak the language of their former rulers.
The Church of Bom Jesus inside the fort area is an ideal pit stop to delve into Daman’s colonial antiquity. Built in 1559, it bears magniÀcent Roman style of architecture that exempliÀes the mastery of Portuguese architects of that time. Its aesthetically carved doorways, wooden altars and statues of six saints are quite endearing. St Jerome Fort, located towards the north of Damanganga River, is another signiÀcant site for travellers interested in Daman’s Portuguese character. Featuring faded ruins and a church, it also oͿers a picturesque view of the river and lush greenery of the surrounding area.
Another place that brings to life Daman’s Portuguese heritage is Dominican Monastery. Once the headquarters of theological studies, Dominican Monastery has attracted Catholic scholars around the world during the rule of the Portuguese. Today, its ruins are a calming haven for travellers to break away from the chaos of city life, amidst dilapidated structures and greenery.
WATERING HOLE
Being a coastal union territory, Daman welcomes a number of tourists to its busy beaches including Devka Beach (in Nani Daman) and Jampore Beach (in Moti Daman). The district is frequented by tourists from across India for its moderately priced alcohol (due to excise concessions), which are retailed at snazzy looking stores lining its tourist
areas. It is also the preferred haunt of alcoholstarved denizens of the neighbouring dry state of Gujarat, who Áock to Daman’s beaches, restaurants and bars on weekends.
DISTRICT OF DIU
Encompassing a small town, is the charming little island of Diu that lies on the southern coast of Gujarat. While it’s technically a part of the combined union territory of Daman and Diu, as mentioned earlier, its distance from its sister district has made it quite independent. Yet, compared to Daman, it is industrially backward and relatively smaller. OIDC looks after the upliftment of infrastructure here as well. It has set up the Diu Industrial Estate that promotes local entrepreneurs to establish industrial units in the district. Manufacturing of plasticisers, and processing of cotton seeds are some of the industries that have mushroomed here. However, because of its location, its economy largely depends on marine related businesses, including seafood exports and the manufacturing of Àsh oils. The Fisheries Department of Diu constantly undertakes steps to boost this sector by means of upgrading infrastructure and market-strengthening activities.
It has of late begun to heavily depend on its tourism to sustain employment though. Called “island of sea, sand and serenity”, Diu’s rich cultural heritage, quaint location and plethora of attractions appeals to tourists from the rest of India, especially visitors from the nearby state of Gujarat. The massive Diu Fort, built in 1541, is the district’s primary showstopper that thrills the culturally inclined tourist with its long-standing antiquity. It boasts of Portuguese remnants with age-old cannonballs and architectural buildings that have become dilapidated because of coastal erosion. Overlooking the fort is Diu’s lighthouse, the highest point of the district that emits a beam that reaches distances up to 32km.
Another example of the architectural excellence left behind by the Portuguese is St. Paul’s Church of Diu. Founded by Jesuits in 1600 and then rebuilt in 1807, it is considered to be one of the most signiÀcant structures of baroque architecture in India. The church’s interior bears intricately carved wood art, deemed to be the best work by the Portuguese in India.
Those interested in exploring local culture must visit Vanakbara, situated to the extreme west of the island. Around 7am or 8am is the ideal time to explore this little village that explodes with colourful boats, activity and banter of the Àshing community here.
Diu also has a number of beaches that are comparatively cleaner and quieter to the ones in Daman. Nagoa Beach, Jallandhar Beach and Chakratirth Beach that dot some of its coastlines are rather clean stretches of sand. Take a dip or surf in its azure waters, sunbathe, play sports or simply meditate Diu’s stunning beaches have a lot to oͿer.